UK car sales rise 26% in February as industry recovers from chip shortage

Registrations hit 74,400 in seventh successive month of growth, with electric cars accounting for 16.5%

The number of cars sold in the UK increased by 26% year on year in February, the seventh successive month of growth as the industry recovers from the depths of the global computer chips shortage.

UK new car registrations rose by 26.2% in February to 74,400, according to data published on Monday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group.