Deloitte comments on SMMT car reg figures for January 2026

Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, said:

“The growth in car sales in January provides a positive boost for manufacturers, particularly as this is the best start to a year since 2020.

“However, growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoption stalled as EV market share dropped to the lowest level since last April. There remain a number of barriers for consumers purchasing EVs. More than three quarters (79%) of UK consumers intending to acquire a battery electric or plug-in hybrid as their next vehicle expect to charge it at home, with only 12% stating they would charge it on-street or at a public charging station. This further emphasises the need for dedicated investment into charging infrastructure, most importantly for those without access to a charger at home.

“Price point also remains a key barrier to EV adoption, with almost half (45%) of consumers naming cost as one of their top concerns regarding battery electric vehicles. Our data shows that over a third of drivers intending to buy a new vehicle expect to pay between £30,000 and £50,000, which proves a challenge for those navigating a stretched budget.”

ENDS