2019 saw surge in low-carbon vehicle registrations

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations grew by 144 per cent in 2019 and overtook plug-in hybrids for the first time, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has found.

In total 37,850 BEVs were registered – this was the biggest increase among alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFV). December saw a huge 220 per cent increase in registrations of BEVs.

Meanwhile hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) dominated the sector, with registrations increasing 17 per cent to 97,850 units.

A surge in registrations of AFVs, which enjoyed a record 7.4 per cent market share, bucked the overall trend of declining new vehicle registrations.

While the SMMT welcomed the huge rise in BEV demand, it warned that the BEV market share of 1.6 per cent is still tiny and underlines the progress needed to reach the 50-70 per cent share the government envisages in the next 10 years.

Furthermore there has been a “significant decline” of zero emission-capable plug-in hybrids, down 17.8 per cent.

The report warned that continued “anti-diesel rhetoric” and confusion over clean air zones hit demand as December marked the 33rd month of diesel decline. This, SMMT says, has resulted in drivers keeping their older, more polluting vehicles on the road for longer, holding back progress towards environmental goals.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “A stalling market will hinder industry’s ability to meet stringent new CO2 targets and, importantly, undermine wider environmental goals.

“We urgently need more supportive policies: investment in infrastructure; broader measures to encourage uptake of the latest, low and zero emission cars; and long term purchase incentives to put the UK at the forefront of this technological shift.

“Industry is playing its part with a raft of exciting new models in 2020 and compelling offers but consumers will only respond if economic confidence is strong and the technology affordable.”