New registrations of electric cars rose 81.1 per cent in May compared to the same month last year, according to SMMT figures.

Petrol electric hybrids experienced increased demand, up 34.6% to 7,785 units, however, following recent trends, plug-in hybrids experienced another substantial decline, down -40.6% in

Registrations of diesels have fallen for the 26th consecutive month, decreasing -18.3% in May.

The SMMT believes this ongoing anti-diesel sentiment and the forthcoming introduction of low emission zones is affecting buyer confidence.

There was modest growth in registrations of petrol (1.0%) and alternatively fuelled vehicles overall (11.7%).

Declines were recorded across all sales types in the month, with registrations by private consumers, fleets and business buyers declining by -5.0%, -3.0% and -29.0% respectively