Demand for new vehicles increases as buyers turn to models with plugs.
Posted on 05 June, 2026
New-vehicle registrations reached 11,294 units in May, which was up by 10.4 per cent compared with the same month of last year.
The result was led by light passenger vehicles with a 20.1 per cent year-on-year jump. Light-commercial registrations were lower and heavy commercials were broadly stable.
Aimee Wiley, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, says the results show a clear change in the composition of demand.
“The strongest movement is in the light-passenger market where more buyers are choosing battery electric vehicles [BEVs] and plug-in hybrids [PHEVs,” she adds. “This is now more than a one-month movement with plug-in registrations remaining elevated across March, April and May.
“Elevated fuel prices and uncertainty about future fuel costs are relevant to household and business purchasing decisions, but registration data alone cannot isolate a single cause.”
Year to date, 57,971 new vehicles have been sold, up 12.4 per cent on the same period in 2025. Growth remains positive across the major segments with the clearest movement in light passenger vehicles supported by stronger activity from private and business buyers.
The market remains in a growth phase with recent demand increasingly shaped by BEV and PHEV sales, notes Wiley, pictured.
Published economic indicators point to a mixed operating environment, she adds. Retail activity showed signs of improvement earlier in the year, but more recent confidence and monetary policy commentary indicate higher fuel prices are adding pressure to household budgets and business costs.
“Current fuel-supply conditions remain stable, but elevated prices and uncertainty about future fuel costs are now part of the purchasing environment. Against that background, stronger BEV and PHEV registrations appear consistent with buyers placing greater weight on operating costs and exposure to fuel-price volatility, although registration data alone cannot identify a single cause.”
Getting powered up
Registrations of BEVs reached 1,613 units last month compared with 526 in May 2025. PHEVs came in at 1,043 units compared with 350. Together, they accounted for 23.5 per cent of total industry registrations in May, up from 8.6 per cent in the same month of last year.
“The shift is more pronounced within light passenger vehicles,” says Wiley. “BEVs and PHEVs accounted for 29.6 per cent of light-passenger registrations in May compared with 10.9 per cent in May 2025, 26.2 per cent in April 2026 and 33.6 per cent in March 2026.
“This indicates the elevated plug-in demand seen in recent months continued into May rather than being confined to a single monthly result.”
So far this year, BEVs and PHEVs combined account for 20.1 per cent of total industry registrations compared with 9.9 per cent over the same period in 2025. Hybrid volumes remain comparatively stable year on year.
“This suggests the current movement is concentrated in plug-in vehicles rather than being a general lift across all electrified powertrains.”
Sales by sectors
A total of 11,294 new vehicles were registered in May 2026, an increase of 1,068 units and by 10.4 per cent compared to the same month of last year. On a year-to-date basis, registrations increased by 6,380 units, or 12.4 per cent, compared with the same period in 2025.
Some 8,173 light passenger vehicles were registered in May for a rise of 1,369 units or by 20.1 per cent. So far this year, such sales have gone up by 5,092 units and by 14 per cent.
A total of 2,709 light-commercials were sold last month for a drop of 303 units, or 10.1 per cent, compared to May 2025. Business demand remained the primary driver of activity in this segment. On a year-to-date basis, registrations increased by 1,179 units, or 8.9 per cent, compared with the same period in 2025.
There were 412 heavy commercials registered in May, an increase of two units or by 0.5 per cent, compared with the same month in 2025. So far in 2026, they have risen by 109 units, or 5.3 per cent, over the same timeframe.
