According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 2019 new car registrations fell for the third consecutive year by -2.4% to 2.3 million units.
In contrast, registrations of battery electric cars surged to record high levels, up +144.0%, with an estimated 23 new models expected to hit showrooms in 2020.
There was modest growth in demand for petrol cars, up +2.2%. However, there was a significant 21.8% decline in diesel registrations. December marked the 33rd month of diesel decline.
Combined alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) numbers climbed in 2019 to take a record 7.4% market share. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) continued to dominate this sector, with registrations increasing +17.1% to 97,850 units. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations experienced the biggest percentage growth, rising +144.0% to 37,850 units and overtaking plug-in hybrids for the first time.
The SMMT has also published data showing the UK new car fleet average CO2 rose for a third successive year, by +2.7% to 127.9g/km. Investment by manufacturers has seen new cars emitting, on average, some -29.3% less CO2 than models produced in 2000. However, this could not offset the overall rise which was due primarily to the effect of the more stringent Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) test of new models.
The December market ended the year on a positive, with overall demand up +3.4%. Fuel type demand mirrored that seen throughout the year, with diesel declining -19.0% and petrol rising +2.6%. BEVs saw another huge increase in the last month of the year, up +220.7%, while plug-in hybrid registrations grew for only the fourth month this year, up +21.8%.
