The new car retail registrations increased by 14.8% in June, but fleets are continuing to lead the market, according to the latest data by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Fleet registrations increased by 37.9% and the overall market was up 25.8% in June to 177,266 units.

Deliveries of petrol cars increased 22.7%, to remain the most popular powertrain, while those of hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also rose, by 40.1% and 65.5% respectively. Diesel registrations were down -13.5%.

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations, meanwhile, grew again, with the segment up 39.4% as 31,700 buyers chose to get behind the wheel of a zero emission car – 17.9% of the total market.

It is business and fleets, however, rather than private buyers, that continue to drive this growth, thanks to the attractive fiscal incentives on offer.