EV and hybrid sales help bolster European car market 

Europe’s car market picked up slightly in May, as robust demand for electric and hybrid vehicles helped offset the drag from a patchy economy hit by global trade tensions. Picture: John Walton/PA

Europe’s car market picked up slightly in May, as robust demand for electric and hybrid vehicles helped offset the drag from a patchy economy hit by global trade tensions.

New-car registrations rose 1.9% last month from a year earlier to 1.11m, according to European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association data on Wednesday.