First half of 2017 breaks EV records

More electric and plug-in hybrid cars were registered in the UK in the first half of 2017 than any other six-month period previously. That’s according to Go Ultra Low, a […]

More electric and plug-in hybrid cars were registered in the UK in the first half of 2017 than any other six-month period previously.

That’s according to Go Ultra Low, a consortium of vehicle manufacturers, government and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which said a record 22,480 were sold.

This is an increase of 14.3% on the first half of the year before and 53.8% up on the same period in 2015.

Demand from private buyers has driven growth, with 44.9% more consumers deciding to go electric than the previous year.

The highest uptake was seen in the West Midlands (2,704), Greater London (2,477) and Cambridgeshire (1,928).

Greater London saw the biggest year on year increase among counties registering more than 1,000 electric vehicles, with registrations up 68.6%.

Renewable energy generation in the UK hit its highest share in 2017, improving the environmental credentials of plug-in cars even further.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman, said: “The total number of plug-in cars on our roads is at record levels, with the latest figures showing that there are now over 100,000 plug-in cars and vans registered in the UK.

“Our aim is that nearly all cars and vans on our roads are zero emission by 2050.”

A total of 38 driverless and low carbon vehicle projects recently received a share of £109.7 million.

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