After five months of new car decline, figures show that new car demand rose in February by 1.4%.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said, 81,969 new cars were registered in February compared to the 80,805 in February 2018.
Sales of diesel car models fell by 14.3% as there has been growing concern over the impact of diesel car emissions, whilst, petrol cars rose by 8.3% year-on-year last month.
Sales for Hybrids and pure electric cars rose by 34%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said, “It’s encouraging to see market growth in February, albeit marginal, especially for electrified models.
“Car makers have made huge commitments to bring to market an ever-increasing range of exciting zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and give buyers greater choice.
“These cars still only account for a fraction of the overall market, however, so if the UK is to achieve its electrification ambitions, a world-class package of incentives and infrastructure is needed.
“The recent removal of the plug-in car grant from plug-in hybrids was a backward step and sends entirely the wrong message.
“Supportive, not punitive, measures are needed, else ambitions will never be realised.”
In a bid to tackle air pollution, the department for transport announced to ban diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040.