Demand for used battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles in the UK continued to grow in Q3 2021, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Reflecting recent trends in both the new and used markets, BEV demand rose 56.4% with 14,182 cars changing hands. PHEV transactions rose by 43.3% to 14,990 EVs. Meanwhile, overall UK used car transactions fell -6.2% against strong Q3 2020 to 2,034,342 units.
Indeed, the number of used BEVs that changed hands during the period was the highest recorded in any quarter. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions also increased by 20.3% to 40,157.
Thanks to an ever-growing choice of new zero emission models coming on sale, for both new and used car buyers, the market share for all used plug-in vehicles increased to 1.4%, up from 0.9% the previous year.
Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles continued to dominate, however, comprising 96.4% of all transactions equivalent to 1,959,955 units, although demand for both declined, by -6.9% and -7.6% respectively.
This strong plug-in performance comes despite the UK’s used car market falling -6.2% in the third quarter of 2021. 2,034,342 vehicles changed hands, 134,257 less than in Q3 2020 when the re-opening of showrooms and easing of lockdown measures saw the market bounce back strongly.
SMMT acts as the voice of the motor industry in the UK.
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