19 May 2013

Awards won by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk

Information

Sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles grow by 15% in 2012

Manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles will spout off all day on the supposed growing appetite amongst British motorists for alternatively fuelled vehicles.

This time last year, that hunger wasn’t translating into actual sales despite a £5,000 sweetener from the Government [link].

However, fast forward to September 2012 and it’s a much happier tale, according the latest sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Between January and the end of August this year, 17,360 alternatively fuelled vehicles were snapped up, 15.3 per cent (or 2,301 units) more than the same period in 2011.

This surge in sales isn’t exactly surprising as EV recharging facilities continue to strengthen, the number of plug-in vehicles available increases, and with the introduction of electric van grants.

Confusion surrounding the true cost and performance of an electric vehicle was holding back EV sales [link], suggesting better education of greener motoring amongst UK buyers.

The market for alternative fuel vehicles grew by 79.1 per cent in 2011, while the market for petrol/electric hybrids increased by 5.6 per cent.

About John Simpson

John has been writing about cars since the start of 2011, with a particular fondness for models with USB connectivity and a serious distaste for steering wheels with too many buttons. Can often be found trying to seduce 1.0-litre engines. When away from things that go brum, apostrophe snob John can often be found making noise with varying degrees of musicality.