According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK new car market managed its 20th consecutive month of growth in March, with a 10.4 per cent rise in registrations.

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registration volumes were at their highest ever recorded levels, but market share fell by one percentage point from the same month last year, down to 15.2 per cent. Registrations rose only 3.8 per cent, with only fleets showing any volume growth.

Uptake of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) was a highlight, reaching record levels and rising by 19.6 per cent to 44,550 units and 14.0 percent of the market, while the biggest percentage growth was recorded by plug-in hybrids, up by more than a third to 24,517 units, or 7.7 per cent of all new registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Market growth continues, fuelled by fleets investing after two tough years of constrained supply. A sluggish private market and shrinking EV market share, however, show the challenge ahead.”

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