# Demand for EVs drives new car market to eighth consecutive month of growth

By Nick Connor — 2026-08-05

After it was reported that the UK’s new car market grew by 11.7 per cent in July compared with the same month last year, the Institute of the Motor Industry’s Nick Connor agrees the data show strong performance, but also highlights the concern around whether workforces can keep up with demand.

Nick Connor, chief executive officer at the Institute of the Motor Industry, said: “The SMMT’s data shows strong performance year on year but underlines the continued industry concern around the ZEV Mandate. And it’s important to recognise that this is not just about manufacturing pressures – but those outside the factory gates in getting the workforce trained to work on electric vehicles.

“Recent IMI data, based on a survey of IMI members, shows there is a distinct lack of confidence that the workforce can keep pace with demand. 79 per cent were not at all confident or not very confident that the transition to zero-emission vehicles can be delivered safely and sustainably and 82 per cent were not very confident or not at all confident that the workforce will be ready at the pace needed. 39 per cent rated access to EV-related training and upskilling in their part of the sector as very poor or fairly poor

“Nobody in our sector disputes the direction of travel – the UK is moving to electric vehicles, and manufacturers, dealers and technicians all need to plan around that. But there is an urgent need for charging infrastructure, workforce skills and training, and vehicle affordability to be addressed. Skills can’t be an afterthought to charge points and pricing – all three have to be tackled together.

“Whatever the Government decides about the pace of the transition, the message from those on the frontline supporting motorists is consistent: don’t let the debate about targets distract from the harder job of making sure technicians, engineers and the wider workforce are ready, safe and confident to deliver it. The sector needs a clear picture about the pace of transition so that training providers, employers and individuals can plan investment in skills with confidence. That’s the balancing act that matters most: realistic targets for vehicle sales, matched by an unwavering commitment to making sure the workforce is ready to support them.”

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