One millionth electric vehicle registered as UK car sales rise 8.2 per cent

This milestone was reached in January, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said.

SMMT figures show 142,876 new cars were registered last month, an 8.2 per cent increase from January 2023.

JLR, which has its electric propulsion manufacturing centre at Wolverhampton, enjoyed a higher rate of sales.

Land Rover sales were up 46.9 per cent to 4,679 with Jaguar rising 29.7 per cent to 1,331.

MG, which is based at Longbridge but has its cars made abroad, was down 9.7 per cent to 6,711.

Top selling brand was Volkswagen at 11,460 - down 7.7 per cent.

The Kia Sportage topped the model table at 4,739 sales.

Only around 674,000 pure battery electric cars were licensed for use in the UK by the end of 2022.

The SMMT expects pure battery electrics to account for more than one in five new cars registered this year.

The Government's zero emission vehicles (ZEV) mandate means at least 22 per cent of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero emission, which generally means battery electric vehicles.

This threshold will rise annually until it reaches 100 per cent by 2035.

The SMMT is calling on the Treasury to temporarily halve VAT on new pure battery electric cars to encourage more people to make the switch from conventionally fuelled vehicles.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "It's taken just over 20 years to reach our million EV milestone but with the right policies, we can double down on that success in just another two.

"Market growth is currently dependent on businesses and fleets.

"Government must, therefore, use the upcoming Budget to support private EV buyers, temporarily halving VAT to cut carbon, drive economic growth and help everyone make the switch.

"Manufacturers have been asked to supply the vehicles. We now ask Government to help consumers buy the vehicles on which net zero depends."

Ian Plummer, commercial director at online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, said: "Britain's millionth new electric vehicle sale is a real milestone moment for the market.

"Considering the pressure on car manufacturers to meet a 22% electric vehicle sales target under the ZEV (zero-emission vehicles) mandate this year, it's a good time to be an electric vehicle buyer with some manufacturers offering EV discounts as high as 40 per cent.

"Electric vehicles may account for one in five sales this year, but there is still more ministers can do.

"Equalising the VAT on private and public charging points would boost running-cost savings and encourage more people to make the switch to electric."

The Government announced on Monday that schools in England will be able to apply for grants to buy and install electric vehicle chargers.

State-funded schools and other learning institutions will have access to a grant providing up to 75 per cent of the cost to install chargers, with funding available for up to £2,500 per socket.

The chargers would be available for staff and visitors, but Department for Transport officials said the scheme could also help schools generate revenue by making the power outlets accessible to the public.