There was a big drop in the number of electric cars produced in UK factories in August, despite the upcoming ban on sales of new petrol and diesel models.
Production of electrified (battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid) cars was down by 25.9% compared with the same month last year, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The industry body said that this decline continued a trend seen across the year, as factories wind down production of key models and retool to make new — primarily electric — models.
Overall, UK car production fell by 8.4% year-on-year. The decline was equivalent to 3,781 fewer units as 41,271 new cars rolled off production lines.
In the year to date, output is 8.5% lower than in the same period a year ago at 522,823 units.
“With the traditional summer shutdowns and factories prepping to switch to new models, August was always going to be a quieter month for output,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“The sector remains optimistic about a return to growth, however, with record levels of investment announced last year.”
Hawes added that realising those investments and securing more depends on the industry maintaining its competitiveness.
“Labour’s Automotive Sector Plan, launched at their Party Conference a year ago, should be the blueprint with its proposals for cheaper, green energy, skills investment and the cultivation of healthy markets here and abroad. These are the measures that would enable the industry to drive economic growth in every part of the country.”
