Significant Increases in Zero Emissions Cars Registered Across the UK & Ireland

Significant Increases in Zero Emissions Cars Registered Across the UK & Ireland

2019 has already seen a massive increase in the purchase of zero emissions cars across the UK & Ireland. The UK has seen a sizeable increase of 26.3% in EVs registered in January 2019 compared to Jan 2018. According to the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), the increase is in line with the latest forecast for this sector, currently expected to rise to around 177,000 units by the end of the year. 86,000 of these cars are expected to be low emission plug-in hybrids and battery electrics - taking plug-in market share to around 3.7% as an ever-increasing number of models come on sale.

According to SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry), there were 806 zero emissions cars registered in January compared to just 104 for same month last year. This represents a massive increase of 675%. A new entrant to the Irish market has taken the top spot in this category - the Hyundai Kona. This compact SUV is the first viable 'family' car to hit the market so its immediate popularity is unsurprising. At the compact end of the range, the Nissan Leaf has made great gains with 294 sold and coming in second place, followed by the Renault Zoe (77 sold). At the premium end of the market, the BMW i3, Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla have begun to make their mark with 53 vehicles sold between them.

Significant growth can also be seen for petrol/ diesel plugin electric hybrids with an increase of 198%. A hybrid vehicle works from both fuel and a battery, however plugin models produce significantly less emissions. Within this category we can see that that the Kia Niro and Mitsubishi Outlander have appeared in the top 3 from a zero base the previous year. These family friendly options provide a great medium term option, providing total range security as the charging network develops whilst dramatically reducing emissions output.
Land Rover has entered into this category with two types of Range Rover, with 45 registered in January alone.

 

Sources:

https://www.smmt.co.uk/2019/02/british-new-car-registrations-dip-1-6-in-january-but-demand-for-electrified-models-surges/

https://stats.beepbeep.ie/