Electric cars enjoyed a remarkable sales spike in 2021, according to official figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). More than 190,000 pure electric cars were bought in 2021 – a 75% increase on the 2020 figure, which was also a record high. And, for the first time ever, a pure electric car ended the year in the top 10 with the Tesla Model 3 officially the UK’s second best-selling car for 2021.

The figures show that more electric cars were sold in 2021 than in the previous five years combined. Overall, battery electric cars accounted for just under 12% of total car sales, although December’s sales figures suggest that demand is currently running at almost twice that with one in four new cars registered in the final four weeks of the year being fully electric. 

When the chips are down, electric cars including the Corsa-e proved a big hit with buyers in 2021

The stand-out electric star of 2021 was the Tesla Model 3, which continued to dominate the sales charts. It topped the overall sales charts once more in December with sales of 9,612. The second-placed car was the Mini which recorded 4,625 registrations. Over the whole year, Tesla racked up 34,783 Model 3 sales, placing it in second place overall behind the Vauxhall Corsa which recorded 40,914 registrations. Interestingly, the overall Corsa figures include 5,605 fully electric versions.

The new data comes at a time when the entire automotive industry is struggling with component supply. A global shortage of semi-conductors (a modern car contains between 1,500 and 3,000 semi-conductors) has affected build logistics. Shipping logistics issues and a shortage of basics such as sheet metal are compounding problems for car makers as they struggle to cope with pent-up demand caused by the pandemic.

Top 10 cars overall 2021

1. Vauxhall Corsa   40,914
2. Tesla Model 3    34,783
3. Mini   31,792
4. Mercedes A-class   30,710
5. Volkswagen Polo   30,634
6. Volkswagen Golf   30,240
7. Nissan Qashqai   29,922
8. Ford Puma   28,697
9. Kia Sportage   27,611
10.Toyota Yaris   27,415

Top 10 battery electric vehicles 2021

1. Tesla Model 3   34,783
2. Kia Niro    12,271
3. Volkswagen ID3    11,032
4. Nissan Leaf    9,052
5. Audi e-tron    7,396
6. Hyundai Kona   7,199
7. Mini Mini   6,615
8. Renault Zoe   5,778
9. Vauxhall Corsa   5,605
10. MG ZS   5,380

Tesla Model 3 topped the electric best-sellers charts and was the UK's second most popular car overall in 2021