Ultra low emission vehicles grow in popularity

The number of drivers choosing new ultra low emissions (ULEVs) has swelled according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport.

The figures reveal that 9,657 ULEVs were registered in the UK in the second quarter (April to June) of 2016, marking a rise of 49% on the same period in 2015 and 253% on 2014.

The increase follows the extension of the plug-in car and van grant scheme, enabling over 100,000 additional drivers to benefit until at least 2018.

As well as the grant extension, the government is providing £600M in this parliament to back the increased uptake in ULEVs in order to hit its target to have almost 100% of cars and vans to be zero emission by 2050.

It is envisaged that this move will help the government to tackle climate change and cut emissions by 80% by 2050.

Roads Minister John Hayes said: “I am delighted to see more drivers than ever are choosing electric vehicles.

“As awareness of the benefits grows, even more motorists will buy these cleaner, greener vehicles, which are cheaper to run.

“These statistics show our investment is making a real difference in encouraging people to choose electric and help protect the environment.”

Earlier this month, the Environmental Audit Committee published a report stating that the Department for Transport needs a clearer strategy to increase the uptake in use of ultra-low emission vehicles.

The report called on the Department for Transport to show more ambition in its attempts to increase uptake of ULEVs in the short term and also outline its plans for the sector in the medium term post-2020.

The report said it had “no confidence” that the UK will be able to achieve a 60% ULEV market share by 2030.

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