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Manufacturing

New car market grows 0.5% as share of battery electric cars hits a quarter

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the new car market grew by 0.5% last month

Cars on the dockside in Sheerness, Kent (Image: PA)

October saw a 0.5% increase in new car registrations, with data indicating that 144,948 new cars were registered in the month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

This figure is slightly higher than the 144,288 recorded during the same month in 2024.

Battery electric vehicles claimed a 25.4% share of the new car market in October, marking the second highest monthly level this year.

However, new petrol car registrations experienced an 11.6% decline, with their market share dropping to 44.4%, down from 50.5% the previous year.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, expressed concern over the potential impact of Government plans to impose company car tax on vehicles obtained through Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS), a move expected to result in the closure of such schemes.

Mr Hawes said: "The Government has backed the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ automotive sector with EV incentives and global trade deals, helping drive growth and encourage decarbonisation.

"But scrapping ECOS would undermine that progress – penalising workers, reducing Exchequer income and putting green investment at risk.

"At a time when the Budget should fuel growth, the measure will do the exact opposite.