Image: DfT
With figures showing a substantial rise in the number of newly registered battery electric vehicles (BEVs) this year, the RAC is calling on the Government to think about reinstating the plug-in car grant to help more people make the switch.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures show 127,492 new BEVs were registered between January and July – a 50% year-on-year rise.
This is despite the overall new car market falling by 11.5%.
The RAC says high fuel prices are leading more drivers to look at alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles – and is calling for the plug-in car grant to be reinstated to further charge the electric revolution.
Launched in 2011, the grant scheme provided more than £1.4 billion to support the purchase of nearly half a million clean vehicles – before it was ended in June.
At the time, the Government said the scheme had served its purpose “having successfully kickstarted the electric car market”.
Simon Williams, RAC EV spokesperson, said: “Electric vehicle registrations continue to buck the trend of market decline with year-on-year growth.
“With high fuel prices and the overall cost of living continuing to bite, drivers are increasingly looking to low-running-cost alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles.
“However, the upfront cost remains a barrier for private EV purchases, so we call on the Government to think about reinstating the plug-in car grant.”
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