TheTelegraph.co.uk: More drivers are opting for ultra-low emissions to cut both their motoring costs and their impact on the environment
Power play: sales of ultra-low emission cars have been soaring Photo: Matthew Howell
Britain’s adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles is set to surge again this year as a series of new electric cars go on sale and drivers continue to cut both their motoring costs and their impact on the environment.
Sales of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) saw a four- fold increase in January by comparison with the same month last year, matching the growth seen in ULEV sales in 2014. January’s increase comes despite the traditionally slow new car sales in the new year.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that 1,708 ULEVs were sold last month. Just 431 were sold in January 2014, an increase of 396 per cent. Sales of all new cars increased by 6.7 per cent.
In 2014, 14,158 ULEVs were sold in the UK. That figure is expected to grow significantly in 2015.
The recent rapid growth we have seen in ULEVs is driven by the better availability of more models across more segments
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) – set up by the Government to encourage their adoption, and which offers a £5,000 grant off the cost of a ULEV – announced this month that it has now received more than 25,000 grant applications since it was established in 2010.
The recent rapid growth we have seen in ULEVs is driven by the better availability of more models across more segments, and a selection of pure EV, hybrid and extended-range models to cater for all driving needs. Not to mention of course the plug-in grant – one of the major driving forces behind current uptake levels.
The list of cars qualifying for the £5,000 grant has increased from six in 2011 to 25, and up to 40 more ULEVs are expected to be launched by major car manufacturers in the next three years.
The list of qualifying cars now includes city cars, standard family hatchbacks, SUVs and large luxury saloons – and even the BMW i8 supercar. It will expand further as car makers race to cut their average fleet carbon dioxide emissions to just 95g/km by 2021, as demanded by the European Union.
To qualify for the grant, cars must meet demanding criteria set by OLEV on average carbon dioxide emissions and tailpipe-emissions-free driving range. Currently, only “plug-in” cars meet the standards. This includes zero-emission, 100 per cent electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (E-REVs).
EVs use only a battery and an electric motor to drive the car, and offer a range of between 100 and 300 miles. The “fuel” costs of an EV are estimated to be an astonishingly low 2p per mile. (A conventionally powered car will cost between 12p and 21p.)
As with a standard hybrid, PHEVs use both an electric motor and a conventional engine to turn the wheels, but they can be charged from an external source, allowing them to drive further on electric power.
E-REVs are driven solely by an electric motor and can also be plugged in. They use a small, highly efficient engine as a generator to charge the battery on the move, giving a huge combined driving range.
The Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is typical of the new breed of ULEVs. After charging for three hours and 45 minutes from a household socket (or considerably less from a dedicated wallbox), it offers an electric range of 31 miles, enough to cover most drivers’ average daily needs.
Together, its electric motor and its 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine offer 201bhp and a combined driving range of 580 miles. It costs from £28,035 after the grant has been deducted. Deliveries start in March.
Volkswagen, Audi and Mitsubishi this month became the latest car makers to join OLEV’s Go Ultra Low campaign, part of the Government’s £500m programme to encourage the adoption of ULEVs. BMW, Nissan, Renault and Toyota are already members.
Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: “The public are increasingly seeing the benefits of ultra-low emission vehicles, which have low running costs and are easily chargeable at home or on the street. We now have seven manufacturers campaigning to show the range of styles and prices available so even more people will see what’s on offer and the significant Government help available.”
Hetal Shah, spokesperson for Go Ultra Low, said: “More UK car-buyers are realising the advantages of owning an ultra-low emission vehicle, and the aim of the newly expanded Go Ultra Low consortium is to share the multiple benefits with a wider audience. We’ve discovered that once people learn more about these cars and vans, they’re keen to take action, and once they’ve tried them, they’re hooked.”
Power play: sales of ultra-low emission cars have been soaring Photo: Matthew Howell
Britain’s adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles is set to surge again this year as a series of new electric cars go on sale and drivers continue to cut both their motoring costs and their impact on the environment.
Sales of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) saw a four- fold increase in January by comparison with the same month last year, matching the growth seen in ULEV sales in 2014. January’s increase comes despite the traditionally slow new car sales in the new year.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that 1,708 ULEVs were sold last month. Just 431 were sold in January 2014, an increase of 396 per cent. Sales of all new cars increased by 6.7 per cent.
In 2014, 14,158 ULEVs were sold in the UK. That figure is expected to grow significantly in 2015.
The recent rapid growth we have seen in ULEVs is driven by the better availability of more models across more segments
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) – set up by the Government to encourage their adoption, and which offers a £5,000 grant off the cost of a ULEV – announced this month that it has now received more than 25,000 grant applications since it was established in 2010.
The recent rapid growth we have seen in ULEVs is driven by the better availability of more models across more segments, and a selection of pure EV, hybrid and extended-range models to cater for all driving needs. Not to mention of course the plug-in grant – one of the major driving forces behind current uptake levels.
The list of cars qualifying for the £5,000 grant has increased from six in 2011 to 25, and up to 40 more ULEVs are expected to be launched by major car manufacturers in the next three years.
The list of qualifying cars now includes city cars, standard family hatchbacks, SUVs and large luxury saloons – and even the BMW i8 supercar. It will expand further as car makers race to cut their average fleet carbon dioxide emissions to just 95g/km by 2021, as demanded by the European Union.
To qualify for the grant, cars must meet demanding criteria set by OLEV on average carbon dioxide emissions and tailpipe-emissions-free driving range. Currently, only “plug-in” cars meet the standards. This includes zero-emission, 100 per cent electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (E-REVs).
EVs use only a battery and an electric motor to drive the car, and offer a range of between 100 and 300 miles. The “fuel” costs of an EV are estimated to be an astonishingly low 2p per mile. (A conventionally powered car will cost between 12p and 21p.)
As with a standard hybrid, PHEVs use both an electric motor and a conventional engine to turn the wheels, but they can be charged from an external source, allowing them to drive further on electric power.
E-REVs are driven solely by an electric motor and can also be plugged in. They use a small, highly efficient engine as a generator to charge the battery on the move, giving a huge combined driving range.
The Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is typical of the new breed of ULEVs. After charging for three hours and 45 minutes from a household socket (or considerably less from a dedicated wallbox), it offers an electric range of 31 miles, enough to cover most drivers’ average daily needs.
Together, its electric motor and its 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine offer 201bhp and a combined driving range of 580 miles. It costs from £28,035 after the grant has been deducted. Deliveries start in March.
Volkswagen, Audi and Mitsubishi this month became the latest car makers to join OLEV’s Go Ultra Low campaign, part of the Government’s £500m programme to encourage the adoption of ULEVs. BMW, Nissan, Renault and Toyota are already members.
Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: “The public are increasingly seeing the benefits of ultra-low emission vehicles, which have low running costs and are easily chargeable at home or on the street. We now have seven manufacturers campaigning to show the range of styles and prices available so even more people will see what’s on offer and the significant Government help available.”
Hetal Shah, spokesperson for Go Ultra Low, said: “More UK car-buyers are realising the advantages of owning an ultra-low emission vehicle, and the aim of the newly expanded Go Ultra Low consortium is to share the multiple benefits with a wider audience. We’ve discovered that once people learn more about these cars and vans, they’re keen to take action, and once they’ve tried them, they’re hooked.”
