New data on UK car market trends from November indicates that progress towards net zero remains complicated, stated the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Total new car registrations declined by 1.6%, reflecting a decrease in private demand and the impact of economic pressures.

Electrified vehicles comprise more than half of registrations for the third month running while one in four buyers chose models with zero emissions.

Growth in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) demand was limited to 3.6%, the lowest rate observed in nearly two years.

This comes ahead of announced Autumn Budget changes, including new taxes on electric vehicles.

Measures such as increased funding for the electric car grant, a higher threshold for the vehicle excise duty expensive car supplement, and extra infrastructure support have been introduced.

There are also plans to bring in an electric vehicle excise duty based on pence per mile starting from 2028.

The shift towards zero emission mobility in the UK is progressing at a pace said to be unmatched by other leading markets.

This transition means policy decisions should support, rather than discourage, drivers choosing lower-emission vehicles, stated the SMMT.

With regulatory targets set to increase significantly, there is a call for government action to maintain momentum, ensure market stability, and protect the country’s attractiveness for investment.

Although electric van adoption has risen, it is still below required levels, reaching just over half of the government’s 16% target for the year so far.

The introduction of a depot charging scheme and an extension of the plug-in van grant for an additional year have received a positive response.

A previous SMMT report showed that November 2025 saw a 22.2% decrease in new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations in the UK.