The UK new car market recorded its ninth successive month of growth in April, increasing 11.6% to 132,990 registrations.
Meanwhile, battery electric vehicles deliveries were up by more than half to 20,522, plug-in hybrid vehicles were up 33.3% to 8,595 units and hybrid electric vehicles increased 7.7% to 15,026 units.
As a result, electrified vehicles accounted for more than one in three registrations in April.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the overall market is now up 16.9% in the first four months of the year with forecasts for 2023 upgraded from 1.79 million units to 1.83 million units.
Meanwhile, the UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market recorded its fourth straight month of growth with 22,665 new units registered in April,
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The new car market is increasingly bullish, as easing supply chain pressures provide a much-needed boost. However, the broader economic conditions and chargepoint anxiety are beginning to cast a cloud over the market’s eagerness to adopt zero emission mobility at the scale and pace needed. To ensure all drivers can benefit from electric vehicles, we need everyone – government, local authorities, energy companies and charging providers – to accelerate their investment in the transition and bolster consumer confidence in making the switch.”
