In January the new car market accelerated by 3.4% as 144,127 cars were registered according to figures by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In the same period for 2025 figures by the SMMT shows that 139,345 new cars were sold.
Pure battery electric car sales had a market of 20.6%, this was the lowest figure since April 2025, and registrations grew by 0.1% year-on-year.
Petrol registrations fell by 1.9% and plug in hybrids and electric motor with a battery plug was up by 47.3%.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said, “Britain’s new car market is building back momentum after a challenging start to the decade.
“It is also decarbonising more rapidly than ever and, despite a January dip in EV market share, the signs point to growth by the end of the year.
“The pace of the transition, however, may be slowing and is certainly behind mandated targets.
“With sales of new pure petrol and diesel cars planned to end in less than four years, there needs to be a comprehensive review of the transition now, to ensure ambition can match reality.”
Ian Plummer, chief customer officer of online vehicle marketplace Autotrader, said, “While almost two-thirds of car buyers are considering an electric for their next car, we need to ensure that consideration turns into actual sales, so there is clearly more to be done.
“Mass electric adoption will need to come from the used market but upfront affordability is the key barrier here so more Government support is needed – such as extending the Electric Car Grant to used EVs.”
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