Search

Record-High 25% of Cars Sold in UK in November Were Electric

We are an online community created around a smart and easy to access information hub which is focused on providing proven global and local insights about sustainability

06 Dec, 2024

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

The United Kingdom set a new record for electric vehicle (EV) sales in November, with more than 25 percent of total car registrations being for EVs, according to the most recent statistics from New AutoMotive.

The latest figures mean EV sales in the country have held more than 20 percent of the market share for the fourth month in a row — also a record-breaking number, reported Transport and Energy.

“November’s record EV registration figures – up over 50% compared to Nov 2023 – show that consumers are busting the myth that EV sales are falling. The ZEV Mandate is working and increasing numbers of buyers are recognising the hi-tech value and lower running costs of electric cars,” said Quentin Willson, advisory board member of EVUK and founder of FairCharge, as Transport and Energy reported.

Sales of gas-powered cars in Britain have fallen to a record low as manufacturers conserve supplies in order to meet strict EV targets, reported The Telegraph.

Minis, one of the most popular EVs in the UK, on the production line in Cowley, England in 2023. Joe Giddens / PA Images via Getty Images

Only 29 percent of new car sales last month were fossil fuel vehicles, a New Automotive analysis of registrations said — down from 42 percent the previous year.

According to Auto Trader, gas-powered cars will “peak” in 2024 before going into permanent decline. The number of fossil fuel vehicles is predicted to fall from 18.7 to 11.1 million in the coming decade, Auto Trader said.

“Peak petrol is a genuine landmark for the UK. We expect to see a seismic shift in British motoring over the next decade as the number of petrol cars falls by nearly half and EVs take a much bigger share,” said Ian Plummer, commercial director for Auto Trader, as Transport and Energy reported.

Meanwhile, EV numbers are expected to rise from 1.25 to 13.7 million, The Telegraph said.

The big market shift is being pushed by government “ZEV mandates” — legally enforced EV sales targets — that compel manufacturers and drivers to transition to EVs.

The rules stipulate that 22 percent of auto sales must be electric in 2024, rising to 28 percent in 2025, with an annual increase reaching 80 percent by the end of the decade.

Manufacturers that go over the sales limit for gas-powered cars could be fined as much as 15,000 pounds per vehicle, though there are “flexibilities” built into the mandate, like carbon credit trading.

Some manufacturers — including Ford, Nissan and Stellantis — say the rules are too stringent, with consumer demand not as strong as expected and EV prices continuing to deter a number of drivers.

Manufacturers are encouraging ministers to either relax the requirements or use consumer incentives to increase EV demand.

“New AutoMotive’s analysis of public data reflects the fact that the car industry has stepped up and introduced more affordable models, which is clearly having a positive impact on the uptake of electric vehicles. However, registrations to fleets and businesses – both heavily incentivised – are still driving this switch in the main, which is perfectly reasonable for a new technology,” said Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, as reported by Transport and Energy. “However, to enable more private buyers to embark on their electric journey, the Government needs to introduce incentives for both new and used electric cars. Buoyant sales of second hand EVs will be key to us hitting our net-zero targets more efficiently.”

In anticipation of booming EV sales, charging companies have put billions toward infrastructure and want to see the government hold its ground, The Telegraph reported.

“It’s imperative that we keep this momentum going and this is why the ZEV mandate’s sales quotas are so important,” said Vicky Read, ChargeUK’s chief executive, as reported by The Telegraph. “They give charging investors the confidence to keep deploying ahead of demand.”

The post Record-High 25% of Cars Sold in UK in November Were Electric appeared first on EcoWatch.

Pass over the stars to rate this post. Your opinion is always welcome.
[Total: 0 Average: 0]

You may also like…

Human Rights Watch Accuses UK of Undermining Democratic Rights With Crackdown on Climate Protesters

Human Rights Watch Accuses UK of Undermining Democratic Rights With Crackdown on Climate Protesters

The United Kingdom’s crackdown on climate protesters is setting a “dangerous” global precedent, according to the UK Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) Yasmine Ahmed, reported The Guardian. British authorities are undermining democratic rights, particularly the right to protest peacefully, according to HRW’s World Report 2025. “Many of us had hoped that an incoming Labour […]
The post Human Rights Watch Accuses UK of Undermining Democratic Rights With Crackdown on Climate Protesters appeared first on EcoWatch.

Strengthening Community Resilience through Sustainable Non-Timber Forest Products

Strengthening Community Resilience through Sustainable Non-Timber Forest Products

Strengthening Community Resilience through Sustainable Non-Timber Forest Products
jschoshinski
Thu, 01/16/2025 – 18:32

In Zimbabwe, deforestation and habitat loss are not only threatening the country’s biodiversity and ability to mitigate climate change, but also threatening individuals’ livelihoods and their ability to adapt to climate change. Of the nearly 6,000 species of indigenous plants found in the country, some 900 of them are traditionally used as food, cosmetics, or medicine. These non-timber forest products (NTFPs) serve as supplemental sources of income for approximately 60 percent of rural households, providing an important source of income diversification as changes in rainfall—in part due to climate change—threaten traditional agricultural activities. By generating income for rural communities, Zimbabwe’s NTFPs offer a market-led approach to boosting climate resilience. 
The Economic Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products in Zimbabwe 
In the landscapes where the USAID Resilience ANCHORS Activity works, one in six people, mostly women, rely on forests and wilderness areas for their livelihoods. Resilience ANCHORS supports community-led initiatives and locally prioritized interventions, including conserving forests and developing value chains for key NTFPs, such as Ximenia, mongongo nuts, wooden banana, marula, Kalahari melon seed, and rosella. Forest-based resources from remote, semi-arid regions can contribute up to 35 percent of rural incomes, while NTFP products like thatching grass, wild plant foods, mushrooms, honey, and mopane worms have an estimated annual subsistence value (i.e, the value associated with people using the products to support themselves rather than selling the products) of $294.3 million. Conserving these natural resources leads to strengthened livelihoods and healthier, more stable communities by supporting income diversification, which helps agricultural communities adapt to the impacts of climate change on crop yields.
Using Laws and Regulations to Strengthen Community Resilience
While NTFPs are vital resources for local communities, the lack of transparent laws and regulations has led to overexploitation and missed business opportunities. Limited awareness of the regulatory framework among stakeholders and community members exacerbates this issue. Resilience ANCHORS has supported the formation of NTFP collector groups that have developed formal governance structures, but the next objective is creating long-term sustainability through a robust legal framework that protects the environment and promotes community wellbeing. 
Sustainable harvesting remains critical for the long-term viability of Zimbabwe’s NTFPs, forests, and environment. Resilience ANCHORS, in collaboration with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Local Government and the Environmental Management Agency, conducted workshops to build awareness of the legislative challenges and foster dialogue. This resulted in the drafting of NTFP Model Bylaw, which seeks to address three key goals:

Fill gaps in the legal framework: Outline benefit-sharing mechanisms to foster fair trade practices, as community ownership and management of NTFPs ensures equitable distribution among stakeholders. 
Promote sustainability: Develop permits to control harvesting, trade volumes, and fees to generate revenue for conservation efforts and capacity-building initiatives.
Provide clear guidelines for NTFP harvesting and benefit-sharing: Specify sustainable harvesting quantities and methods to prevent over-harvesting and safeguard resources for future generations. 

The NTFP Model Bylaw will result in:

Enhanced community resilience through sustainable NTFP management by promoting sustainable livelihoods, environmental conservation, and social cohesion. 
Clarified benefit-sharing mechanisms to reduce exploitation and promote transparency, fairness, and community ownership. 
Informed climate-resilient natural resource management by promoting sustainable harvesting, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. 

Effective implementation of these regulations requires collaboration, capacity-building, and regular monitoring. If adopted and implemented successfully, these regulations could help grow NTFP activities in a way that increases livelihoods and builds community resilience to climate change in Zimbabwe.

Teaser Text
By generating income for rural communities, Zimbabwe’s NTFPs offer a market-led approach to boosting climate resilience.

Publish Date
Thu, 01/16/2025 – 12:00

Author(s)

Itayi Usaiwevhu

Hero Image
Rosella harvest (1).JPG

Blog Type
Blog Post

Strategic Objective

Adaptation

Region

Africa

Topic

Adaptation
Agriculture
Biodiversity Conservation
Deforestation and Commodity Production
Economic Growth
Forest/Forestry
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Natural Climate Solutions
Resilience
Rural

Country

Zimbabwe

Sectors

Adaptation
Agriculture and Food Systems

Show Download Link
Off

0 Comments