Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) across Greater Manchester is weakening at an alarming rate, as the cost of living and higher energy costs put people off buying EVs, according to data analysed by car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco.
The latest Department of Transport (DoT) electric vehicle registration figures* reveal that growth in EV ownership across Greater Manchester has fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter.
There were 6,316 electric vehicles (private) registered across the region in Q3 2022, up from 5,687 in Q2 2022, an increase of 11%. But this is well down on growth in electric vehicle ownership in the previous four quarters.
The number of registered EV owners increased by 12.8% between Q1 2022 and Q2 2022, 18.7% between Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, 20% between Q3 2021 and Q4 2021 and 22% between Q2 2021 and Q3 2021.
A year ago, electric car ownership was increasing at twice the rate it is currently. This is a worrying downwards trend, with just eight years to go before new petrol and diesel car sales are banned in the UK.
Across the metropolitan boroughs of Greater Manchester, Oldham has seen the biggest annual growth in electric vehicle registrations, more than doubling in the past 12 months.
Growth in EV ownership is lagging behind in Stockport and Bury, with registrations up 68% and 69% over the past year.
The following table shows the growth in private electric vehicle ownership in Greater Manchester metropolitan boroughs over the past 12 months
John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco comments:
“These figures show the impact that higher energy costs are having on electric vehicle take-up. Although demand is still there, and sales of electric cars are growing, the rate of growth has slowed noticeably as the astronomical cost of electricity means more car owners are likely making the decision to delay switching to electric.
“The Government has set itself ambitious “Road to Zero” targets and can’t afford a prolonged downward trend in EV uptake. The spanner in the works could be the end of the energy price guarantee in April 2023. This is hardly an incentive for car owners to switch to electric in the coming months, knowing that home charging costs could spiral.”
