The UK new car market saw 6.6% year-on-year growth in March, with more vehicles registered than during any month since 2019.
The crucial number plate change month also saw a new record set for EV registration volume.
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A significant role in the growth of the overall market, which saw a total of 380,627 new vehicles registered, was played by the private retail market, which saw 10.1% growth, for a 42.7% market share. The fleet market saw 3.5% growth for a 54.9% market share, and the business market (for firms with fewer than 25 vehicles) saw 18.8% growth for a 2.4% market share.
The record 86,120 EVs registered was a 24.2% year-on-year increase, and gave the fuel type a 22.6% market share – although the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which has published the registrations data, has pointed out that this is short of the 33% required this year by the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.
Plug-in hybrid registrations rose by 46.9%, taking 13% of the market, while hybrid registrations rose by 7.3% for a 15.8% market share. Combined with pure EVs, these also delivered a record month for electrified vehicle registrations.
Petrol car registrations fell by 6.1%, accounting for 43.6% of the market, while diesel car registrations were down by 11.4% for a 4.9% market share.
Jaecoo 7 tops the registrations chart
The Jaecoo 7 became the UK’s most-registered car in March, with 10,064 examples of the Chinese brand’s SUV registered during the month, ahead of the Ford Puma with 9,193 registrations, and the Nissan Qashqai with 8,718.
The Jaecoo 7’s strong March also took it into second place overall for 2026 to date, with 15,569 registrations, close behind the Puma with 16,128. The Kia Sportage is the UK’s third most-registered new car so far in 2026, with 14,190.
SMMT calls for urgent ZEV mandate review
Commenting on the figures, the SMMT highlighted the gap between the EV market share and ZEV mandate requirement, and reiterated its call for the Government to review its policy urgently, citing factors such as unexpectedly high costs for batteries, industrial energy and public charging.
The Government has previously resisted calls to bring a planned review of the mandate forward from 2027.
Mike Hawes, the organisation’s chief executive, said: “The strongest new car market since 2019, with the highest ever volume of EV registrations, is a boost to the industry and the economy. However, the headlines belie the costs incurred and the challenges involved.
“Much of March’s performance will be from orders placed before the start of the Iran conflict, which threatens to raise the cost of living, undermining consumer confidence.
“Against this backdrop, and with the EV market falling further away from mandated levels despite record levels of incentives, an urgent review of the transition is required to secure a sustainable market, economic growth and the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
Reacting to the registration figures, Sue Robinson, CEO of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), said it was positive to see registrations increase, and said dealers were seeing some indication that the current Middle East conflict had driven consumer demand for EVs.
However, she added: “The sector continues to face strong headwinds including the war in Iran which is likely to disrupt supply chains globally and increase the cost of living for the UK consumer.
“NFDA will continue to lobby on behalf of its members addressing the key challenges, including policy clarity, consumer confidence and the pace of the transition to zero-emission vehicles.”