The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) an improving landscape for car sales.

Although the numbers are still playing catch up with pre-Covid levels, there is positive momentum. When it comes to new battery electric vehicles (BEVs), sales have more than doubled compared to the previous year.

Plug-in revolution

Figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 73,893 new BEVs were sold between January and June 2021 – compared to 30,957 in the period during 2019.

This represents a year-on-year rise of 139%.

The 2021 figure is also closing in on the number for the entirety of 2020 – when 108,205 BEVs were sold.

There was an even bigger rise in the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) sold in the first half of 2021 – up 197% to 58,207.

This means combined, BEVs and PHEVs accounted for 14.5% of the market share between January and June.

The overall market rose by 39%, as it bounces back from the impact of Covid-19.