Deloitte comments on SMMT car reg figures for December 2025
Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, said:
“It is good to see new car sales topping two million again, but this still lags behind the 2.3 million figures seen before the pandemic.
“Despite positive growth in the electric vehicle market in the last year, albeit still behind the target, there is uncertainty amongst manufacturers regarding the regulation of EVs, and potential changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle target. Differing messages to consumers around affordability, and changes to EV legislation, will also play a part in more cautious adoption of plug-ins.
“Meanwhile, investment into charging may also be slowing, leaving a crucial gap in the development of infrastructure needed to boost EV uptake. Continued investment and development in charging infrastructure, along with greater clarity for both the consumer and manufacturers, will be crucial in driving further uptake.
“The outlook for car sales in 2026 could be positive, with the expectation that interest rates will fall and thus a significant reduction in borrowing costs for households, encouraging consumers to purchase new cars.”
ENDS
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