Tuesday , February 18 2025

Electric cars leading the charge

Nissan Leaf

One new electric car was registered every nine minutes in the UK last year, according to the latest record-breaking official figures.

The total number of new 100% electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered last was 59,911, making it the most successful year for electric cars to date.

Once again, plug-in hybrids accounted for the bulk of the market, with 74% of registrations. Pure electric cars also saw a significant boost in 2018, up 14% on the previous year.

After the seventh consecutive year of growth, the total number of electric cars (including plug-in hybrids) registered to date in the UK now stands at almost 196,343.

From a regional perspective, the South East saw the highest demand across the nation, with 21,383 pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered– a 24% increase on 2017.

Other leading regions include the West Midlands (8,601), South West (8,354), East Anglia (5,672), and Yorkshire and the Humber (5,344), making up the top five British regions for electric car uptake.

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According to recent research by Go Ultra Low, nearly a fifth (18%) of Brits would like to make the switch to an electric vehicle in 2019, and the year ahead looks promising with the launch of the new all-electric Kia e-Niro, the MINI Electric and Audi e-tron, to name but a few.

“In the context of the wider new car market, it is fantastic to see plug-in car registrations continue to go from strength-to-strength,” said Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low.

“Looking at the year ahead, 2019 is set to be a pivotal one for the electric car market. With even more new models being released, coupled with the introduction of initiatives such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, we’re confident that the next 12 months will be a landmark year for the nation’s switch to electric.”

Jesse Norman, Future of Mobility Minister, added: “Record levels of electric vehicle registrations clearly show how fast the UK is moving towards greener transport.

“The government has invested almost £1.5bn into our comprehensive Road to Zero Strategy, continuing to pave the way to a zero emission future.”

About Gareth Herincx

Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who's worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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