The UK led a European improvement in alternative fuel vehicle registrations during the first quarter of 2015, according to the European Automotive Manufacturers Association. During the first quarter of 2015, alternative fuel vehicle registrations in Europe increased by 28.8%.
Between January and March, 144,421 AFVs were registered in Europe. The UK saw the largest increase of AFVs over the period (+ 64.2%), followed by France (+33.9%), Italy (18.1%) and Germany (+11.3%).
Electric vehicle registrations almost doubled compared to 2014’s figures, jumping from 11,304 to 24,630 units. Demand for hybrid cars also increased by 21.4% and natural gas powered car registrations increased by 16.5% compared to Q1 of 2014.
The ACEA’s findings follow on from research by Go Ultra Low earlier this month. It found that registrations of ultra low emission vehicles were at an all-time high in the first quarter in the UK.
Registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed that more than 41% of all alternatively-fuelled cars registered during Q1 qualified for the plug-in car grant.
That compared to 13% during the same period last year. According to Go Ultra Low, 8573 cars with CO2 emissions lower than 75g/km were registered, up 386% on the same period last year.
The most popular vehicle was the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV followed by Nissan’s Leaf and the BMW i3.
Car buyers in the south are most likely to buy a ULEV vehicle, followed by Londoners and those in the east of the country, while car buyers in east Yorkshire are least likely to buy a ULEV vehicle.
