Electric car sales soar to near-record heights with EVs 'firmly in the mainstream of the UK market'

Electric cars have achieved another milestone, with experts hailing the latest monthly sales data as the missing piece of the puzzle.Fresh data from New AutoMotive shows that 41,346 new electric cars were registered in May, representing a huge 31.2 per cent growth compared to the same time last year.Experts suggest that this could be down to financial pressures stemming from the Iran war, leading petrol and diesel drivers to invest in EVs at a quicker pace to avoid expensive fuel prices.Electric cars captured an impressive 27 per cent of the market share in May, making it one of the strongest months on record for zero emission vehicles. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say New AutoMotive highlights how this is one of the strongest months on record for electric cars outside of the traditional December peakThe overall car market jumped by six per cent, with this being driven almost entirely by vehicles with a plug.When combined, vehicles with a plug make up more than 40 per cent of all new car registrations.The decline of the internal combustion engine continues with new petrol registrations falling 14 per cent and diesel dropping six per cent. Even hybrid growth was largely flat.Commenting on the data, Ben Nelmes, founder of New AutoMotive, said: The missing piece of the puzzle for the UK's EV transition is finally in place. Carmakers have invested billions to bring a wide range of accessible electric models to market. Now we see decisive evidence that consumer demand is surging as motorists, spurred on by global events and rising fuel prices, are opting for electric cars.Electric vans also recorded their highest total on record, with 2,213 new sales, with one in 10 new vans being zero emission.Tesla retains its crown as the best-selling electric vehicle brand with 16,227 new registrations so far this year, capturing 7.3 per cent of the market.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSMotorists could face mandatory 20mph across 'almost' every road in popular town under new plansElectric bikes face exile from London as thousands removed for failing to meet safety rulesLabour urged to delay pay-per-mile taxes as EVs become more expensive than petrol cars under current plansIt comes as Tesla celebrates its latest milestone with 300,000 electric car sales in the UK, having registered its record vehicle in Manchester in recent days.However, a number of brands are hot on Tesla's heels, including Chinese giant BYD (15,320 ), Kia (14,799), Ford (13,924) and Volkswagen (13,430).BYD, in particular, has seen year-on-year sales jump by 74.3 per cent, as drivers embrace the brand's affordable electric cars and impressive technology.The UK continues to approach targets set out in the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which outlined goals for 33 per cent of all car sales to be electric by the end of the year.These incremental targets will continue to rise over the coming years, including 80 per cent in 2030 and 100 per cent in 2035, when only zero emission vehicles will be on sale.Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, said: Why are we told that the public isn't ready, and the demand isn't there? 27 per cent says otherwise. This is the mainstream choosing electric on its own terms, because it's cheaper to run and better to own.Similarly, Ginny Buckley, chief executive of Electrifying.com, said drivers were switching to electric cars because they're cheaper and less exposed to oil markets and global tensions.It's time to stop talking about electric cars as an 'alternative', because these numbers put EVs firmly in the mainstream of the UK car market, Ms Buckley said. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter