The UK new car market grew year-on-year for the ninth month in a row in April, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures.
There was 11.9% growth compared with April last year – although registrations were still 17.4% down on pre-pandemic April 2019.
Last month again saw strong year-on-year growth in fleet sales, up by 33.1%, which the SMMT described as a naturalisation of the sector following weaker volumes this time last year.
Private registrations were down by 5.5%, while business sales – classed as those to fleets with fewer than 25 vehicles – were up by 13.3%.
In terms of fuel mix, last month saw big year-on-year growth in pure EV registrations, up by 59.1% to take a 15.4% share of the overall market.
Plug-in hybrid registrations were up by 33.3% for a 6.5% market share, while conventional hybrids were up by 7.7% for an 11.3% market share.
Mild hybrid petrols were up by 9.7% to take 15.3% of the market, while mild hybrid diesels fell by 2.9% for a 4.3% market share.
Petrol car registrations increased by 4.1% and accounted for 42.8% of the market, while diesels fell by 13.4% to a 4.4% market share.
For the year to date, the SMMT said the overall market was up by 16.9% year-on-year, and that this had caused it to upgrade its sales forecast for the whole year from 1.79 million to 1.83 million.
However, it said concerns about energy costs and charging infrastructure had caused it to downgrade its pure EV market share prediction from 19.7% to 18.4%.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes 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.”