UK new car registrations rise 11.4% in June - SMMT

6th Jul 2026 12:46

(Sharecast News) - UK car registrations rose in June, according to preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers released on Monday.

New car registrations increased 11.4% to 213,166 units, which was the best performance for the month since 2019.

The SMMT highlighted growth across all sectors, with registrations by private buyers up 12.5%, fleet deliveries 10.5% higher and the smaller business segment posting a 17.1% increase.

Fleets continued to comprise the lion's share of the overall market, accounting for six in 10 new cars registered.

The SMMT said the rise in new car registrations was driven entirely by electrified vehicles as the market continues to evolve, "thanks to ongoing manufacturer investment in a wide choice of models and powertrains providing lower and zero emission mobility, as well as an expanded pool of brands now operating in the UK".

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) took 12.5% of the market, while hybrids (HEVs) accounted for 14.0%. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) saw the most significant growth, taking a 30% share - the highest so far this year. The SMMT said this reflects the trend of high volumes at the end of each quarter and consumer interest spurred by the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel prices.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "June's performance is very strong, showing EV uptake is growing, with battery electric cars reaching their highest market share this year and more than half of buyers choosing electrified models. But even these record levels are still not enough to meet mandated targets.

"Manufacturers are investing billions developing and bringing the vehicles to market - and spending billions more to sell them, yet the market is still not moving fast enough. Reforming the mandate now is essential not just to keep the transition on track but to protect the UK's competitiveness, attract investment and safeguard jobs."