EV sales up by 21% in 2019, but is it enough?

The UK electric vehicle (EV) market grew by 21% in 2019, making it the best year yet for EVs. However, some industry experts are questioning whether the rate of growth is quick enough.

According to the joint government and car industry campaign, Go Ultra Low, more than 72,000 new electric cars were registered in the UK in 2019, a new record.

The South-East of England saw the highest demand, with 23,136 cars, an increase of 22% on 2018. 

The West Midlands, South-West, Yorkshire and East Anglia were the following top five regions for EV uptake. 

According to Go Ultra Low, 2019 has been the eighth consecutive year of growth for the electric car market, which they say is in part, due to the increase in the models of cars available. 

Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, said: ‘In the context of the wider car market, it is encouraging to see plug-in car registrations continue to go from strength to strength.

‘Looking at the year ahead, 2020 is set to be another fantastic year for electric car uptake.

‘With even more new models being released, ongoing government support, as well as the continued expansion of the public charging infrastructure, we’re confident that the next 12 months will be a landmark year for the nations switch to electric.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary said: ‘These record figures show the government world-leading £1.5bn programme encouraging people to switch to clean transport and improve air quality is working.

‘I want 2020 to be the year electric cars go mainstream.

‘That’s why we are doubling-down our efforts to make owning an electric vehicle the new normal.’

Last week (January 6) Air Quality News reported on the latest figures published by the Society of Motor and Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), who stated that electric vehicles still only represent 1.6% of the market share. 

The SMMT welcomed the increase in electric vehicle demand but said that the 1.6% market share is ‘still tiny’, emphasising the progress required to reach the 50-70% share the government envisages in the next ten years.

Photo Credit – Pixabay