UK sees record car registrations in 2015

More than 2.6 million cars were registered in the UK in 2015, setting the record for car registrations in a year.

The 2.6 million registrations represent a year-on-year sales rise of around six per cent and beat the previous record of 2.58 million registrations, set in 2003.

The fastest growing sector was alternative fuel vehicles, made up of vehicles with hybrid, plug in hybrid and electric powertrains. The year-on-year registrations rise is expected to be confirmed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at around 130 per cent, with total registrations reaching 78,000.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “Electrified cars are still a nascent technology, but it’s clear that they are appealing increasingly to money-conscious buyers, many of whom might previously have considered diesels.”

However, alternative fuel vehicles still only accounted for just under three per cent of total registrations and, despite negative press regarding emissions, diesel still made up 48.5 per cent of the total.

Hawes added: “There’s no doubt there is mounting concern around air quality, but the diesel market has held up and it remains critical to the industry meeting its 2020 target of fleet average emissions of 95g/km.”

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