Electric Vehicles Reach Record 25% of UK New Car Sales in November

The milestone highlights progress under the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, but industry warns of challenges as stricter targets loom.

Electric vehicles accounted for 25.1% of new car sales in the UK in November, exceeding the current Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target of 22%.
Despite this record, EV sales for the year are projected to fall short of the 22% target, averaging around 19%, driven largely by significant discounting.
The ZEV mandate will require 28% of new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles in 2025, with fines of £15,000 per vehicle for manufacturers failing to meet the target.
Automakers like Ford and Stellantis, which lag behind in EV sales, have called for government support through grants or tax breaks to encourage consumer adoption.
Analysts predict a long-term shift in the UK market, with gasoline car numbers expected to halve by 2034 as EV affordability improves and infrastructure expands.