Overview
- Registrations rose 7.2% to 90,100, the strongest February since 2004, powered by a 17.6% jump in private retail sales and a 1.8% lift in fleets.
- Battery-electric volumes grew 2.8% to 21,840, but market share fell to 24.2% for a second month; year-to-date share is about 22% versus the 33% 2026 requirement.
- Plug-in hybrids surged 43.5% to an 11.6% share, petrol sales rose 5.2%, and diesel declined 3.8%, highlighting a shift toward mixed electrification.
- Tesla’s UK registrations dropped about 37% year-on-year to 2,422, and the company said monthly registrations undercount demand as deliveries are still inbound.
- Competition intensified as Chinese brands expanded, with BYD growth reported by both SMMT and New Automotive, though methodologies differ and Tesla remained ahead on volume.