The next government is being urged to do more to help drive the transition to electric vehicles as private sales of new pure battery models go into reverse. According to data covering May released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders , there was a 2% dip in UK sales of new battery electric vehicles among consumers when compared to the same month in 2023. The organisation's chief executive said that was despite 'very attractive offers' to lure buyers.
' It hit out in March at the government's decision to delay the ban on the sale of new cars powered by petrol and diesel to 2035, saying the policy had backfired due to a slowdown in electric purchases. The industry had been targeting a 2030 deadline before the government's U-turn in September last year, on cost grounds. The SMMT had warned at that time the move would damage investment and prove a backwards step in efforts to combat climate change.