New car market rises 12.4% during plate change month

SMMT: Battery electric car uptake rises to highest ever volume but still below target set by Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate

The new car market benefitted from a 12.4% boost in March as uptake rose to 357,103 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This growth, in the most important month of the year for the new car market, builds on the March 2024 performance, where uptake rose by 10.4%. As a result, this year’s ‘new plate’ month represents the best March performance since 2019.

Fleet registrations rose 11.5%, while business buyers...