Registrations of new cars down by 5% in July, figures suggest

Registrations of new cars fell by 5% last month, preliminary figures suggest.

Approximately 140,000 new cars were registered in July, compared with 147,517 during the same month in 2024.

Battery electric vehicles (Bevs) held a 21% share of the new car market last month.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which released the preliminary figures, slightly upgraded its forecast for full-year new car registrations, to 1.9 million.

Registrations in 2024 reached 1.95 million.

Bevs are forecast to hold a full-year market share of 23.8%.

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Emissions

At least 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year are required to be zero emission – which generally means pure electric – under the UK Government’s zero emission vehicle mandate.

The first electric car models eligible for new UK Government grants were announced on Tuesday.

Drivers will be able to save £1,500 with the purchase of new Citroen e-C3, e-C4, e-C5 and e-Berlingo cars.

These are the first models approved under the new £650 million electric car grant.

The scheme will enable motorists purchasing a new electric car to save either £1,500 or £3,750, depending on the vehicle’s sustainability.

Ian Plummer, commercial director at online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, said the grant has provided a “much-needed boost” for consumer interest in new electric cars, with EV consideration up 10 percentage points on Auto Trader.

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'Slow'

But the unveiling of the initiative on July 14 explains why it was a “slow” month for sales as buyers “wait to see just which models will get what level of grant”.

He added that discounts – either through the grant or by brands cutting prices themselves – will “trickle through to EV sales in the coming months”.

Final figures for July’s new car registrations will be published at 9am.