Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of excess demand for (a) hybrid and (b) electric vehicles.

The UK market for zero emission and hybrid vehicles is growing significantly. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, new battery electric vehicles accounted for a record-breaking 16.6% of registrations in 2022, second only to petrol. Taking into account plug-in hybrids, over 1 in 5 new cars sold came with a plug last year.

The Government continues to monitor the ongoing challenges in global semiconductor supply chains, which are affecting several areas, including the automotive sector. Whilst no specific assessment has been made on excess demand for hybrid and electric vehicles, the Government is in regular engagement with consumers and industry to understand the market and support the transition to zero emission vehicles.