The UK’s new car market grew in February, with registrations rising 7.2% to 90,100 units, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Growth was largely driven by a recovery in private retail demand, which climbed 17.6% to 35,227 registrations. Fleet sales rose more modestly, up 1.8%, while the smaller business segment declined by 12.7%. Fleets remained the dominant channel, accounting for 59.4% of all new car registrations.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to expand in volume terms, with registrations rising 2.8% to 21,840 units. BEVs accounted for 24.2% of the market in February. However, it marked the second consecutive month in which BEV market share declined compared with the same period last year.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles saw the strongest sales increase, with demand rising 43.5% to secure an 11.6% share of the market. Hybrid electric vehicles grew 3.3%, reaching a 13.1% share.

By contrast, petrol remained the single largest fuel type but its share slipped to 46.5% despite a 5.2% rise in volumes. Diesel registrations continued their long-term decline, falling 3.8% to just 4.5% of the market.

Year-to-date, BEVs account for 22.0% of new car registrations - around two-thirds of the 33% share required by regulation for 2026 under the ZEV mandate. The industry now expects March, traditionally the UK’s biggest sales month due to the new registration plate, to be decisive for the pace of electrification this year.