Battery electric (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for 17.2 per cent of new vehicles hitting the road, with BEVs accounting for more than one in 10 registrations.

Tesla Model 3 was the month’s best selling car, with 5,468 purchased, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Overall, new car sales grew by 28 per cent year-on-year in June to 186,128, an “artificial” lift when compared to June last year when many showrooms were only starting to open again after lockdown restrictions.

Monthly registrations were down 16.4 per cent compared with the previous decade average.

Total registrations for the second quarter of 2021 fell short of industry expectations by around 9,000 units partly because of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage, which acted as a limiting factor on supply.

Mike Hawes, chief execituve of SMMT, said: “With the final phases of the UK’s vaccine rollout well underway and confidence increasing, the automotive sector is now battling against a ‘long Covid’ of vehicle supply challenges. The semiconductor shortages arising from Covid-constrained output globally are affecting vehicle production, disrupting supply on certain models and restricting the automotive recovery.

“However, rebuilding for the next decade is now well underway with investment in local battery production beginning and a raft of new electrified models in showrooms.

“With the end of domestic restrictions later this month looking more likely, business and consumer optimism should improve further, fuelling increased spending, especially as the industry looks towards September and advanced orders for the next plate change.”