4th Apr 2025 09:24
(Alliance News) - New car registrations in the UK leapt in March as private retail buyers returned and electric vehicle sales hit a new high, an industry report on Friday revealed.
Figures from trade association Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders showed new car registrations in the UK rose 12% year-on-year in March to 357,103 units.
The SMMT said 2025's 'new plate' month, which it called "the most important month of the year for the new-car market", represents the best March performance since 2019.
In the UK, new car registration plates are released twice a year, on March 1 and September 1. This year, the '25' plate was released on March 1, with the '75' plate released on September 1.
Battery electric car uptake rose to its highest ever volume at 69,313 units although the just over 19% market share is still below the target set by UK's zero emission vehicle mandate.
All types of electrified vehicles recorded growth in the month, with hybrid electric vehicles up 28%, plug-in hybrids up 38%, and battery electric vehicles up 43% as manufacturers incentivised uptake with significant discounting.
Fleet registrations rose 12%, while business buyers decreased by a marginal 0.3%. There was also a recovery in private buyer uptake, with a 15% rise in registrations on-year.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said the "substantial" growth is a "fillip for the industry".
"Moreover, with March being the best month ever for electric car registrations, there is reason for optimism. Manufacturers remain committed to the market decarbonisation the country and the environment demands, but we need sustained growth, not a short-term bubble driven by unsustainable manufacturer discounting and drivers rushing to beat a tax hike," he claimed.
By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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