UK registrations surged in April, with 149,247 new vehicles recorded, a 24% rise over the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The increase was driven largely by a rebound in petrol deliveries, while electric‑powered models also posted solid growth.
Petrol and diesel volumes climb amid shifting market conditions
Petrol registrations jumped 8.2% to 63,541 units, capturing a 42.6% share of the market despite a six‑point decline in relative share. Over the first four months of 2026, petrol deliveries totaled 340,230, slipping 1.5% year‑on‑year and holding a 44.5% share, down 4.8 percentage points.
Diesel volumes fell 1% in April, with 6,314 units delivered, a modest drop of 67 units compared with the previous year. Diesel’s market share slipped to 4.2%, down 1.1 points. From January through April, diesel registrations declined 8.4% to 36,827 units, and its share fell 0.9 points to 4.8% of the total.
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Combined, internal‑combustion engine (ICE) registrations accounted for 46.8% of April’s market, a 7.3‑point fall from the prior month. In the first four months, ICE volumes dropped 2.2%, pushing its share to 49.3%.
Electrified powertrains gain ground
Battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) recorded 39,084 registrations in April, a 59.1% year‑on‑year increase that lifted BEVs to a 26.2% market share, up 5.8 points. Over the first four months, all‑electric deliveries rose 22.1% to 176,698 units, representing 23.1% of new‑car sales, still short of the 33% zero‑emission target set for the year.
Forecasts and policy implications
The organization has revised its annual forecast, now expecting 2.09 million registrations for 2026, a 3.6% year‑on‑year increase from the previous estimate of 2.05 million. Projections for 2027 anticipate 2.12 million units.
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BEV share forecasts have been trimmed, with the SMMT now predicting a 26.8% share for 2026, down from the earlier 28.5% estimate.
In contrast to other major European markets, the SMMT treats mild‑hybrid (MHEV) models separately, assigning them to their respective petrol or diesel categories rather than grouping them with full hybrids. This reporting method can make UK figures appear distorted when compared with continental data.
Overall, the April surge in registrations reflects a mixed picture: petrol and diesel remain dominant, but electrified powertrains are increasingly capturing market share. Whether this momentum will sustain through the rest of the year remains to be seen as the car parc continues to age and policy pressures build.