Demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is soaring, according to new figures released today by the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

 

The data shows the number of new cars eligible for the government Plug-in Car Grant scheme rose from 14,532 in to 28,188 last year, an increase of 94 per cent.

 

Zero and low emission vehicles still make up only a fraction of an overall market, with total new vehicle registrations reaching a record 2.6 million.

 

However, demand for alternative fuelled and low emission vehicles is outperforming the wider market across all categories. The auto market as a whole grew 6.3 per cent, but demand for pure electric vehicles rose 48 per cent to nearly 10,000 vehicles and demand for plug-in hybrids soared 133 per cent year-on-year to over 18,000 vehicles.

 

Since the Plug-in Car Grant scheme was launched with its promise of up to £5,000 off the cost of electric vehicles, 47,690 eligible cars have been registered.

 

Conventional hybrids enjoyed a similar strong performance last year with annual demand for petrol hybrids growing 18 per cent to 40,707 registrations and demand for diesel hybrids climbing 36 per cent to over 3,800.

 

Overall, the market for alternative fuelled vehicles rose 40 per cent to 72,775 units, increasing the sector’s market share from 2.1 per cent in 2014 to 2.8 per cent last year.

 

In contrast, demand for diesel vehicles rose just three per cent, as the fall-out from the VW scandal no doubt contributed to the technology’s market share slipping to 48.5 per cent. (The Guardian)

 

 

PHOTO: An electric car charging point. Demand for electric and plug-in hybrids has soared in the UK.

CREDIT: Peter Byrne/PA.