Overview

• New car registrations climbed 1.6% in May to 150,070 units, the strongest May performance since 2021 and the market’s second month of growth this year.
• Pure battery electric models registered a 25.8% year-over-year increase, contributing to electric vehicles exceeding 47% of total new car sales in May.
• Year-to-date zero emission vehicle sales reached 20.9%, remaining below the government’s 28% mandate for 2025.
• Intense discounting from manufacturers, particularly Chinese EV brands, has triggered a price war that is eroding automaker profit margins.
• Tesla’s UK deliveries dropped 36% year-over-year to 2,016 vehicles in May, underscoring difficulties for established EV leaders.