The number of plug in vehicles sold in the UK in 2015 was more than every year since 2010 combined, according to Go Ultra Low, in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In total, 28,000 electric cars were registered in 2015, almost double the 14,532 sales record in 2014. The total for 2010-2014 was 21,486.
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While this number shows how far electric car sales have come in recent years, they still have a long way to go before approaching similar numbers to petrol and diesel cars, both of which sold over 1.25m model in 2015.
Despite this, transport minister Andrew Jones said: "The UK has one of the fastest growing ultra-low emission vehicle markets in the world and these record figures show more and more people across the country are enjoying the benefits of this cheap-to-run and green technology.
"British drivers have a wider choice of vehicles than ever before and we have increased our support for plug-in vehicles to £600 million over the next five years to cut emissions, create jobs and support our cutting-edge industries."
The South East of England proved to be the region that saw the most new electric cars sold, with 9,186 sales, followed by the South West (4,420) and West Midlands (3,371).
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By GlobalDataThe Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the best-selling fully electric or plug-in hybrid, after its full year sales more than doubled to 11,681 (up from 5,364), followed by the Nissan Leaf (5,236 sales in 2015) and BMW i3 (2,213).
Head of Go Ultra Low, Poppy Welch, said: "This sustained level of growth represents how plug-in vehicles are becoming the norm for drivers who want to buy a fun, economical, stylish new car. Now, instead of facing high running costs, motorists can reap the rewards of an economical ultra low emission vehicle, which can save the typical car owner hundreds of pounds every year. With this growth showing no signs of stopping, it’s proof that electric car ownership is the new normal. Now, it’s not a question of will motorists choose electric, but when."
