Plug-in EVs up 75% to hit record levels in 2018

The number of plug-in electric cars in the UK increased by 75% in 2018.

Motorparc data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that there is now a record 195,410 plug-in vehicles on UK roads.

AFV ownership increased 30%, with more than 620,000 hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric cars now in use.

This increase has facilitated a -17.8% decrease in emissions, the lowest on record for the UK parc.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Thanks to massive investment from manufacturers in delivering a wide range of models across all fuel types, to suit all driving needs, environmental gains are now being delivered across the UK.

“Ever-more advanced in technology makes every new generation of vehicle more efficient than the last, and this is filtering rapidly from the new car market into the broader parc.

“Fleet renewal is proven to work so we need a world-class package of incentives and infrastructure to give motorists the confidence to buy the latest, cleanest cars, whatever the fuel type, in the greater numbers we need to meet environmental challenges.”

The data also shows that there were more than 1,600 model ranges and almost 68,000 different specifications on roads in 2018.

Superminis continued to dominate, making up 33.2% of all cars in the parc. Dual purpose vehicles saw the biggest growth, up 10.6% and family hatches and saloons saw the largest fall, down -4.7% to four million.

The SMMT recently reacted to the news of a six-month Brexit extension, with Hawes calling the lack of clarity around the UK’s relationship the EU “utterly unacceptable”.

Hawes said: “Uncertainty has already caused serious damage – car plants are on enforced shutdown, investment has been cut and jobs lost. This cannot go on.

“Government and Parliament must use this extension purposefully to take ‘no deal’ off the table for good, and guarantee a positive long-term resolution that delivers frictionless trade. If they fail, we face yet another devastating ‘no deal’ precipice on 31 October.”