Record-Breaking March for UK Car Market

The United Kingdom's car market witnessed a significant surge in March, with registrations climbing by 12.4% compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 357,103 units. This growth was highlighted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in their latest report.

Shift Towards Greener Alternatives

While traditional petrol and diesel vehicles saw a decline, dropping by 0.4% and 10.1% respectively, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) soared. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) experienced remarkable increases of 43.2%, 37.9%, and 27.7% year over year.

Electric Vehicles Take the Lead

"March became the largest month ever for registrations of electric cars," according to SMMT, with BEVs, PHEVs, and HEVs accounting for 69,313, 33,815, and 56,161 units respectively. This shift underscores the growing consumer preference for environmentally friendly transportation options.

Year-to-Date Growth

From the beginning of the year, total car registrations have risen by 6.4% compared to the same period last year, totaling 580,502 units. This upward trend reflects the robust health of the UK's automotive sector and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles.