The proportion of fully electric cars sold in the UK car market has shrunk, according to new industry figures.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said some 15.2% of new cars registered in March were fully electric, down from 16.2% a year earlier.

The industry body said there was a “tough economic backdrop” of low growth, weak consumer confidence and low growth high interest rate Make it harder for drivers to “invest in these new technologies.”

year-on-year sales electric car The SMMT said electric vehicles did grow this month, but that was driven primarily by investment in fleets rather than private drivers.

Total hybrid electric vehicle usage rose nearly 20% to 44,550 vehicles in March compared with the same period last year, while registrations of new battery electric vehicles rose nearly 4% to 48,300 vehicles.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The sluggish private market and shrinking EV market share illustrate the challenges ahead.

“Manufacturers are making compelling offers, but they cannot fund the transformation indefinitely on their own.”

Previously, leading electric car maker Tesla and Chinese company BYD both reported Sales dropped sharply In the first quarter of this year, some commentators worried that demand for cars might fall.

Overall, data released by SMMT on Thursday showed that the UK car market grew for the 20th consecutive month in March, with registrations up 10.4%.

The total number of cars exceeded 317,786, the UK’s best March performance since 2019, although still more than 30% below pre-pandemic levels.

Private buyer registrations fell by 7.7% and small business registrations fell by 8%.

However, SMMT said vehicle fleet investment surged by almost 30% as “compelling tax incentives” drove the adoption of electric vehicles.

The industry body renewed its call for the government to do more to incentivize private buyers to also use electric vehicles, including reducing VAT on public electric vehicle charging.

Mr Hawes said: “Government support for private consumers, not just businesses and fleets, will send a positive message and enable a faster and fairer transition, on time and on target.”

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Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, noted that despite Tesla’s recent “bleak” figures, electric car sales are still growing.

He added: “While the fleet side of the market is driving growth, more needs to be done to stimulate EV demand from private buyers, where affordability remains a barrier.

“That said, manufacturers are working harder than ever to attract customers, as more than three-quarters of new electric vehicles are now advertised with discounts on our platform.”

Alex Buttle, co-founder of used car comparison website Motorway, echoed calls for more government action.

“The industry needs greater charging infrastructure and tax incentives to really drive growth in the private electric vehicle market,” he said.

Sky News has contacted the Department for Transport for comment.