One in 12 buyers chose an EV or hybrid in August

The demand for hybrid and plug-in cars surged 88.7 per cent in August, with a record one in 12 buyers going electric.

The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the sector accounted for eight per cent of the market – its highest ever level.

Overall, the UK new car market rose 23.1 per cent in August, compared to last August, with 94,094 new cars registered.

Demand was up across the board, with consumers and fleets boosting year-on-year registrations by 23.3 per cent and 19.7 per cent respectively, while the smaller business sector rose 166.4 per cent, equivalent to an uplift of around 1,500 units against August last year.

Superminis remained the most popular buy, followed by small family and dual purpose cars, with the luxury saloon and city car segments recording the most notable growth, up 120.8 per cent and 39.6 per cent.

In the year to date, the overall market remains down by -4.2 per cent, in line with forecasts after a turbulent first eight months. However, demand remains at a high level with more than 1.5 million new cars featuring the latest in advanced safety, emissions and convenience technology joining British roads so far in 2018.