April saw the two millionth battery electric car registered (2,012,758), following a growth of 59.1% compared with last year, SMMT data has shown.

As a result, BEV uptake reached a 26.2% share of registrations in the month – a good performance albeit in a typically low volume month. However, year to date, BEVs comprise 23.1% of the overall new car market, significantly short of the 33% required by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.

April saw plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations rise 46.4% to take a 13.8% market share, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) increased 18.8%, securing 13.2% of new registrations.  

Demand for petrol cars rose 8.2%, while diesel registrations fell -1.0%.

Overall, the new car market grew by 24.0% to reach 149,247 registrations in April.

Growth was recorded in all sectors, led by fleets, up 26.8% to 90,462 registrations. Private retail deliveries grew 20.2% to reach 56,116, while registrations by the smaller business sector rose 15.0% to 2,669.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "April’s rebound is welcome, but underlines just how significantly fiscal changes can influence the market. Two million electric car registrations is a considerable milestone to celebrate, although natural demand is still well below the level demanded by the mandate.

"The mounting cost of compliance threatens to limit consumer choice, overall decarbonisation and the sector’s competitiveness so the need for a rapid review of the transition to align policy with market realities is unchanged, else Britain’s attractiveness as a vehicle market and manufacturing hub will be put at risk."