New car registrations across the UK recorded their strongest May performance since before the pandemic, with growing demand from private buyers helping push the market to its best result for the month since 2019.
The figures add to signs of recovery seen across the sector in recent months, following earlier reports that the UK car market recorded strong growth as consumer confidence returned.For drivers still weighing up the move to electric vehicles, understanding the real costs of running a petrol or hybrid car remains an important part of the decision.The latest registration figures arrive at a time when wider motoring costs and enforcement measures continue to shape how drivers use and replace their vehicles.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 160,662 new cars were registered during May, a 7.1% increase compared with the same month last year. While the market remains 12.6% below pre-pandemic levels, the figures point to continued resilience among consumers despite wider economic uncertainty.
Private motorists were a major driver of growth, with registrations rising 17.2% as buyers responded to competitive offers and a growing range of available models. Fleet demand also increased, although at a slower pace, and continued to account for the majority of new registrations.
The latest figures show the UK car market continuing its gradual shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles. Registrations of both fuel types declined during May while electrified vehicles increased their share of the market.
Battery electric vehicles accounted for 27.3% of all new registrations, the highest share recorded so far in 2026. Uptake rose 34.2% year-on-year, while plug-in hybrid registrations increased 23.9%. Hybrid electric vehicles also recorded modest growth.
Manufacturers continue to support demand through competitive pricing and incentives, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. Government measures, including the Electric Car Grant, have also helped encourage uptake alongside growing consumer interest in lower-emission vehicles.
The figures add to signs of recovery seen across the sector in recent months, with the UK car market showing stronger performance than many analysts had expected at the start of the year.
Despite the momentum, the transition to zero-emission motoring remains behind the level required under future regulatory targets. Battery electric vehicles account for 23.9% of registrations year-to-date, significantly below the 33% market share required in 2026.
SMMT has warned that the widening gap between regulatory targets and consumer demand is increasing pressure on manufacturers, which continue to absorb significant costs linked to compliance.
The challenge could become even more significant later this decade. In its Seventh Carbon Budget, the Government projected that electric vehicles could account for 95% of new car and van sales by 2030, well above the targets currently set under the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. Industry leaders argue that achieving those ambitions will require sustained investment, continued consumer incentives and further support for the transition to electric mobility.
Are you considering switching to an electric vehicle, or are petrol and hybrid models still the better option for your daily journeys? Share your thoughts with the EyeOnLondon community. Read more UK motoring, transport and consumer news at EyeOnLondon.
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