SMMT reports fourteenth consecutive month of growth

With 272,610 registrations, September was also the second busiest month of the year after March, with the new number plate delivering its traditional market surge despite a challenging economic backdrop.

Large fleets rose 40.8 per cent to 143,256 units to reach a market share of 52.5 per cent. Private consumer demand was up 5.8 per cent to 122,944 units. Despite experiencing its best September since 2020, registrations remain -20.6 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) were up 50.9 per cent to take a 6.8 per cent market share and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) up 30.7 per cent to account for 13.9 per cent of all registrations. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) recorded their 41^st consecutive month of growth with 45,323 drivers making the switch, an 18.9 per cent uplift.

BEV volume increases were driven by fleet purchases, which rose by 50.6 per cent as buyers were drawn to the advanced technology, performance, reduced environmental impact and tax incentives. Conversely, private BEV registrations fell -14.3 per cent with less than one in 10 private new car buyers opting for electric during the month.