Availability constraints are still having an impact on new car sales with sales in May falling again. In May, a total of 124,394 new cars were registered, a decrease of -20.6% from the same period last year. Sales to private buyers grew by 11.4%; fleet registrations were down by -26%. Electric vehicles however are still experiencing moderate growth up 17.7% to 15,448 units. Plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) registrations declined by -25.5% to 7,339 units, whilst hybrids (HEVs) grew 12% to 14,561 units. There are now 15,448 registered EVs on the road in 2022 compared to the 13,120 at the same point last year, a 17.7% increase. With sales of electric growing, diesel fell from 15,474 units to 7,614 (-50.8%), and petrol has fallen from 75,787 units to 56,767 (-25.1%). Supply issues along with cost-of-living pressures are continuing to calm the new vehicle market.
The Editor’s View
