New Car Registrations Increase by One Percent in April, Led by Fleet Sector

The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals that new car registrations in April increased by just one per cent compared to the previous month. While this may seem like a modest growth, it marks the best April for new car registrations since 2021. However, the numbers still fall short of pre-pandemic levels by 16.6 per cent.

In total, 134,274 vehicles were registered in April, with much of the growth driven by the fleet sector, which saw an impressive 18.5 per cent increase. On the other hand, private buyer uptake declined by 17.7 per cent, with only 50,458 units registered. Business registrations also saw a decrease of 16.1 per cent to 2,609 units.

One of the bright spots in April was the increase in electric vehicle (EV) registrations, which grew by 10.7 per cent, pushing the EV market share to 16.9 per cent. Plug-in hybrids recorded the strongest growth among electrified vehicles, with registrations increasing by 22.1 per cent, while demand for regular hybrids grew by 16.7 per cent.

Despite the growth in EV registrations, the SMMT highlighted the need for urgent action to promote EVs to private buyers. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, emphasized the importance of government incentives to drive consumer adoption of EVs. He suggested measures such as temporarily cutting VAT, treating EVs as mainstream vehicles, and improving the chargepoint network to instill consumer confidence.

The data from April indicates a positive trend in the new car market, especially in the EV sector. However, more needs to be done to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and support Britain’s net zero ambition. With the right incentives and policies in place, the automotive industry can continue to grow and contribute to a more sustainable future.