SMMT Update – Summer signals UK’s electric and self-driving future
Summer is a quieter period for the new car market, as many buyers tend to wait for new-plate September, but this year brought positive news: the ninth successive month of overall market growth after the best performing August since the introduction of the biannual number plate change. It reflects ongoing recovery in new car demand, with growth driven by both new entrants and, increasingly, electrified models.
BEVs attracted almost three in 10 new car registrations, achieving their second-best market share this year – replicating a seasonal spike seen in August for the past four years as lower overall volumes amplify percentage shifts. The van market posted a similar improved performance, with a fifth successive month of growth and a record 16.3% EV share.
Despite this growth, underpinned by massive investment in new models, discounts and government grants, both markets remain behind year-to-date ZEV headline mandate targets. With only four months of the year remaining, government’s review of the regulation is an indispensable opportunity to deliver meaningful reform: to align ambition with market reality, support fleet renewal, safeguard investment in model choice and protect the UK’s own manufacturing investment appeal.
EVs are not the only vehicle transition offering huge benefits and there was more positive news this week as Wayve and Uber launched their ‘supervised autonomous’ passenger taxi service in London. With 15 EVs now ferrying passengers for a fare on Uber’s platform – with a safety driver retained behind the wheel – the UK is another step closer to benefitting from the immense potential of fully driverless mobility.
Industry research shows this technology could prevent thousands of fatalities and tens of thousands of serious accidents in the UK by 2040, along with a potential £66bn economic prize – improving road safety and transport accessibility while driving new jobs and growth. The Automated Vehicles Bill positions the UK to be a leader in robotaxi deployment, so it is essential that regulatory barriers to commercial rollout are solved quickly, ensuring the benefits can reach Britain’s roads – and advance its automotive industry – sooner rather than later.
On that note, we look forward to the return of SMMT Connected on 18 March 2027, bringing together hundreds of senior representatives across automotive, aligned sectors and government to discuss the opportunities of AI-driven mobility. Find out more or book your place here.