Sales of new cars rise sharply in May, marking the strongest month for new registrations since 2019, according to reports from Belfast Telegraph and The Independent. The increase is linked to growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), which continues to improve buying momentum. Both outlets also point to a significant shift in who is purchasing vehicles: a resurgence in private buyers plays a major role in the year-on-year growth. While industry conditions vary across sources, the common theme is that the demand boost is translating into higher overall new car sales in May compared with the same period last year. The Independent specifically highlights that more people are buying for private use, rather than only for fleet or business purposes, contributing to the overall increase. Belfast Telegraph frames the same trend through the lens of the May performance being the strongest since 2019, indicating both a strong month and an improvement compared with recent years. Overall, the reports describe a May sales uplift tied to EV demand and increased private consumer activity.