NEW car registrations in February were the best for the month since 2004.

Registrations totalled 84,886 units in what was the 19th consecutive month of growth. Figures for the Scottish market were not available at time of going to press.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the growth was entirely down to fleet and business buyers, with private motorists preferring to wait until March and the new registration plate.

Battery-electric cars accounted for 17.7 per cent of registrations compared with 16.5 per cent last February.

However, this sector continues to be driven by fleets and businesses which enjoy attractive tax benefits.

Private motorists accounted for less than one in five battery-electric vehicle registrations in the first two months of 2024.

Announcing the February registration figures on Tuesday, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes called for the following day’s Budget to include incentives to help private motorists make the transition from internal combustion to battery-electric power. His appeal failed.

Mr Hawes described the Budget as a missed opportunity to energise the EV market by measures such as reducing VAT on new model purchases and public charging stations.

UK top 10 in February: 1, Ford Puma, 2,535; 2, Volkswagen Golf, 2,203; 3, Volkswagen T-Roc, 1,986; 4, Kia Sportage, 1,948; 5, Audi A3, 1,835; 6, Mini, 1,828; 7, BMW 1 Series, 1,815; 8, Tesla Model Y, 1,777; 9, Nissan Qashqai, 1,615; 10, Vauxhall Mokka, 1,513.

Figures from SMMT.