The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads has surpassed two million for the first time, according to new figures from the Department for Transport (DfT).
A landmark moment
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the milestone as a "landmark moment" in the nation's transition to electric motoring. As of the end of December last year, 2,012,000 zero-emission vehicles were licensed for use across the UK, representing a 31.2% increase compared to the previous year.
Alexander stated: "Over two million EVs are now registered across the UK – a landmark moment in the UK’s transition to electric, backed by £7.5 billion in Government funding. As global fuel prices continue to fluctuate, making the switch has never made more sense."
Government support and industry investment
The DfT highlighted that more than 100,000 drivers have taken advantage of the Government’s Electric Car Grant, which offers savings of £1,500 or £3,750 off the purchase price of a new EV. This financial incentive, combined with substantial investment from both the charging infrastructure industry and car manufacturers, has been instrumental in accelerating adoption.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying advice website Electrifying.com, commented: "Reaching two million EVs in the UK is a significant milestone." She attributed the surge in uptake to a combination of factors, including government support, industry investment, and a "wave of genuinely compelling electric cars."
The milestone underscores the accelerating pace of the UK's shift away from internal combustion engines, with electric vehicles becoming an increasingly common sight on British roads.
