Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT) showed that combined, Battery Electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) accounted for 17.2% of new car sales in June, with BEVs accounting for more than one in 10 registrations.
Despite the boom in electric vehicle (EV) sales, Cornwall Insight’s research shows around 17 EV tariffs are available, with some of the tariffs still in testing phases and not available to all customers. On top of this number, there are 11 Time of Use (ToU) EV tariffs on offer.
Katie Hickford, Analyst at Cornwall Insight, said:
“The latest SMMT data saw the second-highest monthly EV sales recorded for 2021 behind March, with 19,842 BEVs and 12,139 PHEVs registered in June. Looking at 2021 to date, 73,893 BEVs have been registered, up 139% on YTD 2020 (30,957 vehicles). PHEV YTD data shows a 197% increase on 2020 YTD, with 58,207 cars registered. This means that total EV sales for 2021 exceed 132,000, surpassing total diesel car sales (93,087).
“New models coming onto the market in 2021 are set to increase consumer choice, with EVs from BMW, Nissan, Kia, and Mercedes, amongst other brands, set to launch in the UK this year. Volkswagen’s ID.4 was awarded “World Car of the Year 2021” in April, but in the UK, Tesla continues to lead demand, with its Model 3 the top-selling car in June 2021.
“Despite this, the current choice of tariffs available to these new EV owners is small, with a total of 11 suppliers offering a tariff. In addition, being an existing customer with a smart meter is required for many of the EV tariffs on the market, with the large supplier group still dominating the current EV offerings.
“EV tariffs can provide households with savings compared to a standard tariff offering, but there is reduced choice currently, with comparisons between the different offerings challenging, although improvements are being made for consumers. As EV sales continue to rise, we would expect more innovative tariff offerings to cater for this section of customers, especially as the uptake of EVs moves to mass adoption.”
About the Cornwall Insight Group
Cornwall Insight is the pre-eminent provider of research, analysis, consulting and training to businesses and stakeholders engaged in the Australian, Great British and Irish energy markets. To support our customers, we leverage a powerful combination of analytical capability, a detailed appreciation of regulation codes and policy frameworks, and a practical understanding of how markets function.
