Automotive News – Early March 2025
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The European Commission has published a new automotive action plan supporting the car industry in transitioning to cleaner and more automated electric vehicles (EVs) by delaying key targets around carbon emissions.
This comes shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the two-year grace period for the Commission’s 2025 automotive emissions target, and a measure suggesting that carmakers failing to meet 2025 and 2026 targets could overperform in 2027, complying on the basis of averages.
Government has announced a major expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the Midlands, with more than 16,000 new chargepoints planned.
The Department for Transport has confirmed today (7 March) that 13 local authorities, supported by Midlands Connect, have secured £40.8m from the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to support the rollout. The LEVI Fund aims to accelerate the commercialisation of, and investment in, the local charging infrastructure sector.
The new funding will improve access to charging, particularly for those without off-street parking, and will extend infrastructure into smaller towns and rural areas.
Electric vans up as overall market contracts in February.
- New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations fall -19.3% in February to 14,476 units, in third consecutive monthly decline.
- Smaller vans seize demand, increasing by 55.3% to 427 units, as other segments contract.
- Electric van uptake grows 55.1% to 1,413 units, taking 9.7% market share – but well short of 2025’s mandated 16%.
Demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by -19.3% in February to 14,476 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The third consecutive monthly decline led to the month’s lowest outturn since 2020,1 with February traditionally a low volume month as many operators postpone procurement until the arrival of the new March number plate. https://www.smmt.co.uk/electric-vans-up-as-overall-market-contracts-in-february/
EVs account for one in four new car registrations in flat February market.
- New car market declines by -1.0% to 84,054 units, marking the fifth consecutive monthly drop.
- Rises in private and business buyer volumes offset by fall in fleet registrations.
- Battery electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries rise 41.7% to 21,244 units, accounting for one in four new car registrations.
The UK new car market fell slightly in February, down -1.0% to 84,054 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In what is usually the smallest month of the year (accounting for only around 4% of annual volumes), February was the fifth consecutive month of decline, with a -4.0% reduction in fleet registrations – which have driven previous market growth. Private registrations rose by 4.6% to slightly increase overall market share to 35.6%, while the much smaller business sector rose by 3.3%.
