Panic as UK diesel sales surge while carmakers face fines over EV quotas

A growing number of private motorists are returning to fossil fuelled vehicles as sales of new models rise at a faster rate than .

Figures from the (SMMT) show that the new car market grew in popularity by one percent during September 2024, with more than 275,000 vehicles sold.

However, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, highlighted that while sales of remain strong, private sales are starting to slump, with seeing significantly more growth.

He explained: "September's record EV performance is good news, but look under the bonnet and there are serious concerns as the market is not growing quickly enough to .

"Despite manufacturers spending billions on both product and market support - support that the industry cannot sustain indefinitely - market weakness is putting environmental ambitions at risk of jeopardising future investment."

According to the SMMT, sales of new electric models during September 2024 were 24.4 percent higher than they were 12 months prior. However, the majority of the 56,387 EVs sold during the month were fleet sales.

In comparison, private sales of electric models rose by just 3.6 percent, despite a number of manufacturers lowering the prices of EVs to encourage more buyers.

This is due to the Government introducing a quota, which states that 22 percent of almost all car companies in the UK must be fully electric, with manufacturers who fail to meet the target fined heavily.

In comparison, diesel sales for private customers grew considerably, with September 2024 seeing an increase of 17.1 percent compared to 12 months earlier.

While overall sales of diesel cars were still much lower than EVs, at 17,556 for the month, it shows that some customers are interested in returning to more familiar types of vehicle.

Despite this, the number of vehicle companies selling diesel models in the UK is falling, with Skoda, Land-Rover, Mercedes and Citroen being some of the most popular.

To help encourage more private buyers to consider an electric model, Mike called on the Government to add more incentives in the upcoming October Budget.

He added: "While we appreciate the pressures on the public purse, the chancellor must use the forthcoming budget to introduce bold measures on consumer support and infrastructure to get the transition back on track, and with it the economic growth and environmental benefits we all crave."

The call comes as the Government is set to end the tax exemption on electric models, one of the last incentives for private buyers of electric cars.