New car registration figures - RAC reaction

RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: “This January was the best ever start to a year for new electric car (BEV) registrations, in direct contrast to sales of new diesels. More than three times as many pure electric cars were registered than diesels, and 89% fewer diesels were registered this January compared to the same month four years ago. We estimate there are around 715,000 battery electric cars on the UK’s roads today, more than double the number from 15 months ago..  

“We expect to see more than a million BEVs on the roads by the end of this year, led by continued fleet take-up, but more needs to be done to address the high up-front costs that prevents many private consumers who want to make switch from doing so. Without further financial support, we’re concerned many drivers will simply hold on to their existing cars for longer. We’d like to see the return of a plug-in car grant, aimed at the cheaper end of the EV market, to help stimulate demand and encourage car makers to produce more affordable models.”