EVs At 37.6% Share In The UK — Ford Tops BEV Rankings

[Biker16]

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/19/evs-at-37-6-share-in-the-uk-ford-tops-bev-rankings/

 

Quote

October’s auto market saw plugin EVs at 37.6% share in the UK, up from 30.2% year on year. BEVs grew volume 24% YoY, and PHEVs grew 27%. Overall auto volume was 144,948, almost flat YoY. The UK’s leading BEV brand was Ford, with a 9% share of the BEV market.

 

October’s auto market saw combined plugin EVs at 37.6% share in the UK, with full electrics (BEVs) taking 25.4% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) taking 12.1%. These compare YoY with shares of 30.2% combined, 20.7% BEV, and 9.6% PHEV.

The UK BEV market is now benefiting both from the ZEV mandate, and from the recently re-introduced BEV purchase incentive. The headline “28% ZEV” target for full year 2025 actually translates to a BEV target of around 23% once the various “low emissions” fudges are included. Currently the overall YTD BEV share is 22.4%, so it seems likely that the required 23% will be reached by the end of the year.

 

One damaging government policy which is currently under consideration is a proposed 3 pence/mile tax on BEVs. Ostensibly this will help compensate for the tax revenue shortfall from foregone road-fuel taxes. But with BEVs still representing just 5% of the UK passenger vehicle fleet, is this really the best time to introduce a new tax burden on BEVs? The proposed tax will average around £300 per year for a typical BEV driver, a significant consideration over the 15+ year life of a BEV.

 

It would be more sensible to introduce such a tax mechanism at a nominal level initially, e.g. at 1 pence per mile, just to iron out kinks and establish the idea, without shaping purchasing decisions. Once BEVs constitute 50% of new auto sales (in 3 or 4 years time), and outcompete ICE vehicles on purchase prices across every segment, then would be the right time to gradually ratchet up the tax rate.

 

The UK is still a net importer of oil, and any sensible government would take a big-picture approach to fiscal rationality, reasoning that BEVs’ ability to use locally produced energy is a net positive for the economy, compared to ICE vehicles’ dependence on costly imports.

 

 

[morgan20]

3 hours ago, Biker16 said:

Once BEVs constitute 50% of new auto sales (in 3 or 4 years time), and outcompete ICE vehicles on purchase prices across every segment

 

Ford's Universal EV Platform and Universal EV Production System should allow it to outcompete ICE vehicles on purchase prices across every segment.

 

Hopefully Ford can maintain its BEV rankings in the UK until then 

[DeluxeStang]

This is why Ford can't just walk away from EVs, in the rest of the world, their sales numbers of skyrocketing. Hopefully Ford's universal platform can deliver on providing compelling EVs, because the demand is clearly there. 

[jpd80]

It’s also legislation driven in Europe and UK

they basically ban or heavily fine regular ICE entering ZEV zones around inner city areas

and then say, oh look how plug in hybrids and BEV sales percentages are increasing.

Also helps if you stop selling most of your ICE vehicles and make buyers pick HEV/PHEV.

 

Quote

The UK’s ZEV mandate and revived BEV incentive mean that it is now leading Europe’s “big-3” markets (with Germany and France) in the EV transition. However, progress is still much slower than we expected a few years ago, with legacy auto still clinging to rent-seeking from their past ICE investments, and slow-walking their BEV offerings. This is despite very steep drops in battery costs, and China already passing 50% EV market share this year.

 

The wider UK economy is not in great shape, with YoY GDP growth dropping to 1.3% in Q3, from 1.4% in Q2. Headline inflation fell from 3.8% in September to 3.6% in October, and interest rates remained flat at 4.0%. Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 points in October, from 46.2 points in September. The UK prime minister is facing a leadership crisis, with the worst approval ratings (13%) since records began (mid 1970s).

 

Edited November 21, 2025 by jpd80

[Sherminator98]

1 hour ago, jpd80 said:

It’s also legislation driven in Europe and UK

 

The UK is a shitshow with various different things, no wonder why the leadership ratings are so low. 

[jpd80]

On 11/22/2025 at 6:06 AM, Sherminator98 said:

 

The UK is a shitshow with various different things, no wonder why the leadership ratings are so low. 

Yes and unfortunately, Australia is going the same way with tough emission limits and green ideology that makes no sense.

Off topic,

Australia and England playing first test match in Ashes Series…..an amazing day with lots of outs and hits

enjoy

Update, Aussies were ruthless and knocked over England in two days, these games normally go five days

 

 

Edited November 22, 2025 by jpd80

[akirby]

Don’t forget in Europe 60% of new vehicles are purchased by businesses and given to employees as perks.  

[morgan20]

5 minutes ago, akirby said:

Don’t forget in Europe 60% of new vehicles are purchased by businesses and given to employees as perks.  

 

That's good for Ford Europe, whose Corporate Sales and Commercial Fleet business is pretty strong

[jpd80]

5 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

That's good for Ford Europe, whose Corporate Sales and Commercial Fleet business is pretty strong

Looks like we’re in the in between time where those sales and private sales are moving to electrification,

it just means that all the other ROW locations that Ford Europe once supplied are now missing product.

eg, no intention to supply RHD markets with BEV Puma, Explorer & Capri, these might sell better

than Mach E does but also offer something different to what Chinese BYD, MG and XPeng are doing

Edited November 21, 2025 by jpd80

[T-dubz]

Europeans prefer small cars, have more expensive gas, have better public transportation and everything is closer. The average European drives 6500 miles a year vs 13,500 for Americans. Europe is literally the perfect environment for EVs.

[morgan20]

3 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

Europe is literally the perfect environment for EVs.

 

Yea, according to the info jpd80 shared the legacy automakers in Europe are shooting themselves in the foot: 

 

...progress is still much slower than we expected a few years ago, with legacy auto still clinging to rent-seeking from their past ICE investments, and slow-walking their BEV offerings. This is despite very steep drops in battery costs, and China already passing 50% EV market share this year.

[jpd80]

2 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, according to the info jpd80 shared the legacy automakers in Europe are shooting themselves in the foot: 

 

...progress is still much slower than we expected a few years ago, with legacy auto still clinging to rent-seeking from their past ICE investments, and slow-walking their BEV offerings. This is despite very steep drops in battery costs, and China already passing 50% EV market share this year.

There’s a big element of social engineering going on with aggressive legislation in favour of EVs

and making life hard for people choosing to stay with ICE. Even with that, Europeans are still

pushing back on embracing electric vehicles, especially to the thought of Chinese “dumping”.

[Biker16]

On 11/21/2025 at 3:06 PM, Sherminator98 said:

leadership ratings

?

[morgan20]

8 hours ago, JosephM said:

I was in London for about two weeks and, to be honest, I didn't see a single electric Ford.

 

Did you hear any ambulance sirens during your visit to London? NHS uses Mustang Mach-E for some its ambulance vehicles

 

[Sherminator98]

14 hours ago, Biker16 said:

?

 

I was quoting a quote from jpd post

 

Quote

 

The wider UK economy is not in great shape, with YoY GDP growth dropping to 1.3% in Q3, from 1.4% in Q2. Headline inflation fell from 3.8% in September to 3.6% in October, and interest rates remained flat at 4.0%. Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 points in October, from 46.2 points in September. The UK prime minister is facing a leadership crisis, with the worst approval ratings (13%) since records began (mid 1970s).

 

[Bob Rosadini]

For what it is worth;

 

"The electric vehicle (EV) landscape has rapidly shifted – and it’s not just because incentives have been eliminated. A new CDK study of car shoppers shows interest in EVs has plummeted in just a year. Today, only one in 10 gas shoppers say they’ll ever buy an EV. Last year it was one in three. This webinar will unpack the latest findings on what gas, hybrid and electric vehicle shoppers think about EV technology and just how much the EV industry has been set back."

 

This from an Automotive News Webinar today pushing their next event-8:01 AM 11/25

 

[rmc523]

17 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said:

For what it is worth;

 

"The electric vehicle (EV) landscape has rapidly shifted – and it’s not just because incentives have been eliminated. A new CDK study of car shoppers shows interest in EVs has plummeted in just a year. Today, only one in 10 gas shoppers say they’ll ever buy an EV. Last year it was one in three. This webinar will unpack the latest findings on what gas, hybrid and electric vehicle shoppers think about EV technology and just how much the EV industry has been set back."

 

This from an Automotive News Webinar today pushing their next event-8:01 AM 11/25

 

 

I'd like to know more info than a snippet like that......namely, is that looking at the current marketplace (sans tax credits).  I can see people looking at the current offerings and thinking "it doesn't meet my needs, and don't see it meeting my needs ever".....until tech improves, and EV offerings do meet their needs down the road.

[Biker16]

FYI

[Sherminator98]

3 hours ago, Biker16 said:

FYI

 

For what its worth-

 

The Chinese market is going to be a shit show over the next 3-5 years.

They are in a major demographic decline with 50% of the population being over the age of 50, Other Countries like Germany, South Korea, Japan and Russia are on the same path. The USA is about 10-15 years behind them. 

 

I can see outsiders like EU and US based companies getting squeezed out of that market sooner than later, but at the same time both the EU and USA will protect their markets from dumping.

 

Then if CCCP decides that Taiwan is worth the squeeze, they'll basically destroy their economy with economic impact that will cause...and that will be happening sooner then later. 

[Biker16]

On 11/25/2025 at 2:44 PM, Sherminator98 said:

 

For what its worth-

 

The Chinese market is going to be a shit show over the next 3-5 years.

They are in a major demographic decline with 50% of the population being over the age of 50, Other Countries like Germany, South Korea, Japan and Russia are on the same path. The USA is about 10-15 years behind them. 

 

I can see outsiders like EU and US based companies getting squeezed out of that market sooner than later, but at the same time both the EU and USA will protect their markets from dumping.

 

Then if CCCP decides that Taiwan is worth the squeeze, they'll basically destroy their economy with economic impact that will cause...and that will be happening sooner then later. 

 

For the record, Asia is a continent, not a country.

 

I believe that the chaos and turmoil in the U.S. auto industry over the next decade will be far more destructive than what is currently happening in China.

 

American automakers are set up to fail and are unable to compete on a global scale. Their overdependence on the North American market, combined with a consumer base that is facing economic challenges due to rising costs of living, is problematic. Simply put, buyers in North America will struggle to afford what domestic automakers are selling. Additionally, these automakers are uncompetitive in other markets, creating a vicious cycle that opens opportunities for foreign automakers to take advantage of the situation.

[akirby]

47 minutes ago, Biker16 said:

 

For the record, Asia is a continent, not a country.

 

I believe that the chaos and turmoil in the U.S. auto industry over the next decade will be far more destructive than what is currently happening in China.

 

American automakers are set up to fail and are unable to compete on a global scale. Their overdependence on the North American market, combined with a consumer base that is facing economic challenges due to rising costs of living, is problematic. Simply put, buyers in North America will struggle to afford what domestic automakers are selling. Additionally, these automakers are uncompetitive in other markets, creating a vicious cycle that opens opportunities for foreign automakers to take advantage of the situation.

So your solution is to allow cheap imports free reign?  GM and Ford will adapt to whatever the market demands.  The market for their money makers isn’t going away any time soon.  And they did not forget how to build smaller cheaper cars.

[Biker16]

1 hour ago, akirby said:

So your solution is to allow cheap imports free reign?  GM and Ford will adapt to whatever the market demands.  The market for their money makers isn’t going away any time soon.  And they did not forget how to build smaller cheaper cars.

 

Not really, stop rewarding mediocrity with tariffs and protective policies that increase costs for Americans.

 

Protecting a few hundred thousand jobs while increasing the cost for 300 million people by 10% may not be a good idea in the long term. 

[Texasota]

30 minutes ago, Biker16 said:

 

Not really, stop rewarding mediocrity with tariffs and protective policies that increase costs for Americans.

 

Protecting a few hundred thousand jobs while increasing the cost for 300 million people by 10% may not be a good idea in the long term. 

So, despite China’s predatory trade practices via huge state subsidies, forced labor and IP theft we should allow these China vehicles to pour into our country so Americans can have lower prices. Wonderful, that has worked so well over the last 30 years. Yes, let’s keep prioritizing those cheap prices.

[Biker16]

2 hours ago, Texasota said:

So, despite China’s predatory trade practices via huge state subsidies, forced labor and IP theft we should allow these China vehicles to pour into our country so Americans can have lower prices. Wonderful, that has worked so well over the last 30 years. Yes, let’s keep prioritizing those cheap prices.

 

Again, 

 

300 million people paying much higher prices to preserve 300-400,000 jobs.

 

The core issue in the US is a form of Dutch Disease, which has led to a decline of manufacturing in favor of financial, medical, and other service sectors. These sectors add little value and act as middlemen or gatekeepers to core economic activity. 

 

The irony of the current trade policy is that it has failed to preserve jobs, while increasing costs and reducing competition. 

 

The Chinese were smart to invite foreign automakers into their country to learn and improve auto-making; we could do the same, but our egos won't allow that. 

[morgan20]

4 hours ago, Biker16 said:

The irony of the current trade policy is that it has failed to preserve jobs, while increasing costs and reducing competition. 

 

Yea, lookin' at the graph you originally shared, the BEV market in the U.K. seems to be more competitive than the U.S.