Plug-in vehicle demand drives May registration growth

New vehicle registrations increased by over 1000 units in May compared with the same period last year, with strong demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) helping drive growth in the passenger vehicle market.

A total of 11,294 new vehicles were registered during the month, up from 10,226 in May 2025. Year-to-date registrations reached 57,971 units, a 12.4% increase on the same period last year.

The growth was driven by light passenger vehicles, where registrations climbed 20.1% year-on-year to 8173 units. Light commercial vehicle registrations fell to 2709 units from 3012 a year earlier, while heavy commercial registrations were largely unchanged at 412 units.

Motor Industry Association chief executive Aimee Wiley says the composition of demand is changing.

“The strongest movement is in the light passenger market, where more buyers are choosing battery electric and plug in hybrid vehicles,” Wiley says.

“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.”

Battery electric vehicle registrations reached 1613 units in May, up from 526 a year earlier, while plug-in hybrid registrations rose to 1043 units from 350.

Together, BEVs and PHEVs accounted for 23.5% of all new vehicle registrations in May, compared with 8.6% in May 2025.

The trend was even more pronounced in the passenger vehicle market, where battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles represented 29.6% of registrations, up from 10.9% a year earlier.

Year to date, BEVs and PHEVs account for 20.1% of all new vehicle registrations, compared with 9.9% during the first five months of 2025.

Hybrid vehicle registrations remained relatively stable, with 3160 units registered in May and a market share of 28%. Petrol, diesel and LPG-powered vehicles accounted for 5487 registrations, giving internal combustion engine vehicles a 48.5% market share, down from 63.3% a year earlier.

MIA says the market remains on a growth trajectory.

“Growth remains positive across the major segments, with the clearest movement in light passenger vehicles, supported by stronger private and business buyer activity. The market remains in a growth phase, with recent demand increasingly shaped by battery electric and plug in hybrid registrations.”

Private buyers accounted for 4478 registrations in May, up from 3669 a year earlier, while business registrations increased to 5888 units from 5635.

The MIA says current fuel supply conditions remain stable, but higher fuel prices and uncertainty around future costs are becoming an increasingly important factor in vehicle purchasing decisions.