UK car sales log strongest August since 2018, preliminary data shows

Registrations of new cars in the UK rose about 13% to more than 90,000 in August, the highest number for the month in eight years, preliminary industry data showed on Friday. The market share of battery electric vehicles rose to about 30% in the month, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. For the year, the market share stood at 26%. Both numbers remain below Britain’s zero-emission vehicle mandate of 33% for 2026. Separately, data from New AutoMotive showed on Wednesday that UK registrations of BEVs rose to about 30% of all cars in August. Overall new car registrations were up 17.5% year-on-year. SMMT and New AutoMotive use different data sources and calculation methods. The SMMT will provide the final figures for the month at 0800 GMT on Friday.