UK new car registrations grew by 26.2% year-on-year in February as 74,441 new cars joined Britain’s roads, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The figures show last month, which was the seventh month of consecutive growth, was the busiest February for car sales since 2020, as easing supply chain shortages steered the market closer to pre-pandemic levels.
Deliveries to private buyers up 5.8%, while purchases by large fleets jumped 46.2%. Business registrations rose by a mere 0.7%, or just nine cars.
The SMMT reports that hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) recorded the most significant growth of all fuel types, up 40.0%. HEVs have a fossil fuel engine, which can charge an electric battery which can drive an electric drivetrain.
Petrol sales were 35.8% higher than a year ago, while diesel registrations fell by -7.0%.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations were up 18.2%, and make up one in six new UK car registrations, while sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were 1.0% higher.