Car makers cut prices to drive electric sales in the UK [Video]

Electric car sales surged in the UK last month as manufacturers slashed prices and rationed the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in a bid to hit Government targets, writes John-Paul Ford Rojas.

Registrations of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were 10.8pc higher in the UK than August last year at 19,113, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

That bucked a wider trend which saw total car sales fall by 1.3pc to 84,575.

It meant BEVs represented a 22.6pc share of the market, the highest since December 2022.

However, for the year so far electric cars only represent 17.2pc of all new car sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

And the SMMT expects the Government target of 22pc for 2024 to be missed.

The target is set to rise, reaching 100pc in 2035 when new petrol and diesel car sales will be banned. Manufacturers who fail to hit the targets will face fines.

…