The variety of new vehicles bought in July was up 28.3% versus July 2022, marking the twelfth consecutive month of registrations development because the market was hit by COVID disruption and provide points.

In July 143,921 new vehicles had been registered, in response to the most recent figures from the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT), which famous that this was the perfect July efficiency since 2020, when pent-up demand for brand new vehicles was unleashed following three months of lockdown throughout the pandemic.

The perfect-selling automotive was the Ford Puma, with 4,124 registrations. It stays the highest performer of 2023, recording 26,889 registrations within the first seven months of the yr, nicely forward of the following automotive, Vauxhall Corsa.

Firm registrations drove the expansion, as uptake by massive fleets elevated 61.9% to 80,961 models and enterprise registrations rose 28.7% to 2,915 new autos. Personal demand remained secure at 60,045 models (up 0.3%).

Hybrid (HEV) volumes grew, though their general market share fell to 11.3%. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations had a major uplift for the second month in a row as uptake rose 79.1% to account for 8.1% of the market.

The largest enhance, nonetheless, was for battery electrical autos (BEVs), which recorded an 87.9% enhance to account for 16.0% of all new registrations for the month, a market share broadly in keeping with that seen up to now this yr.

The most recent market outlook now anticipates general new automotive registrations to succeed in 1.847 million by the tip of the yr, a 0.9% rise on expectations in April. Of those, BEVs are anticipated to take a 17.8% market share or 330,000 models, a slight lower on April’s outlook, whereas PHEVs are set to realize 7.2% of the market with 134,000 models.

Trying additional forward, the outlook for 2024 has been downgraded marginally by -0.7% to 1.951 million models, reflecting wider issues about the price of residing.

BEVs are anticipated to realize an general 22.6% market share subsequent yr reaching 440,000 models. With an additional 155,000 PHEVs anticipated to be registered, commanding 7.9% of the market, plug-in autos are prone to account for 3 in each 10 new vehicles registered in 2024.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief government, mentioned: “The business stays dedicated to assembly the UK’s zero emission deadlines and continues to make the investments to get us there. Alternative and innovation out there are rising, so it’s encouraging to see extra folks switching on to the advantages of driving electrical.

“With inflation, rising prices of residing and a zero emission car mandate that can dictate the market coming subsequent yr, nonetheless, customers should be given each potential incentive to purchase.

“Authorities should pull each lever, subsequently, to make shopping for, operating and, particularly, charging an EV inexpensive and sensible for each driver in each a part of the nation.”