Electric Car Sales Jump 300% In UK

Feb 25, 2015

Electric car sales (including plug-in hybrid electric cars) in the UK surged over 300% in 2014, as compared year-on-year against 2013, according to the most recent figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA).

Those numbers mean that the UK was far-and-away the head of the pack in the European Union (EU), as far as electric vehicle (EV) sales go.

The specific numbers are every bit as impressive as the above-stated percentage figure — EV sales in the UK rose from “just” 3,833 units in 2013 to 15,361 units in 2014. Huge growth. If we have any luck, perhaps 2015 can continue this trend — considering the current incentives environment there, though, it’s hard to say. 2014 saw the introduction of substantial tax and cash exemptions/incentives. They aren’t going away, but they also won’t be increasing in 2015.

Following rather slowly behind the growth in the UK was German growth — with an increase in electrically chargeable vehicle sales of around 70.2%. 2014 saw 13,118 units sold in the country — up from 7,706 units sold there in 2013. France followed behind in third place, with a 29.8% increase in unit sales.

Altogether, 75,331 new electrically chargeable vehicles were sold in the EU during 2014 — representing an increase of 36.6% over 2013. Outside of the EU (but still in Europe), Norway took the top spot easily — with 19,767 units sold, representing an increase of 140.8% over 2013.

When sales in the EU and the European Free Trade Association (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) are taken together, total sales rose 50.2% to 97,791 units sold, up from 65,091 units in 2013.

Source: CleanTechnica