THE number of people buying an electric car has slowed – as overall vehicle sales plummet.
New car registrations fell nine per cent amid supply chain shortages and the cost of living crisis.
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The result marks the fifth month of consecutive decline in the motor industry, although it’s the smallest fall recorded this year.
A report released by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals Covid lockdowns at key manufacturing centres in China are largely responsible for the problems.
Disruption caused by the war in Ukraine is also responsible, it’s said.
In addition, there have been huge problems with the supply of semiconductors.
The vital chips are used in almost all vehicles.
Electric car sales grew by almost ten per cent, achieving a 10.9 per cent market share for July.
However, it’s the weakest month for sales since the pandemic.
Registrations of hybrid vehicles plunged by 7.7 per cent.
The most popular car this year so far is a Vauxhall Corsa, with 24,333 sold, followed by the Ford Puma, with 20,006 sales, and the Nissan Qashqai, with 19,097 registrations.
The only Ford listed in the top 10 for sales for the year is the Kuga.
Unusually, no Ford vehicle appears on the top 10 list of sales for July.
Officials at SMMT had a bleak warning on overall sales for the year ahead.
They said: “The first half of the year has proved more challenging than anticipated, due to the enduring severity and impact of the semiconductor shortage and global conflict.
“While the sector expects the second half to improve as supply issues start to recede, it is unlikely that the market will be able to recover the significant losses sustained so far.
“The outlook for the full year has therefore been revised downwards to 1.6million new car registrations – a 2.8 per cent fall on 2021, with the industry facing its most challenging year for three decades.
“Around two million registrations have been lost since Covid, effectively representing a loss of a year’s registrations.
“Plug-in market share will continue to grow, however, to reach 22.6 per cent as manufacturers prioritise investment in zero emission vehicle production.”
Chief executive Mike Hawes said the automotive sector has had “another tough month” as the squeeze on supply “bedevils deliveries”.
“The next prime minister must create the conditions for economic growth, restore consumer confidence and support the transition to zero emission mobility,” he said.
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