Industry figures show sales growth outpacing diesel and petrol equivalents, although volumes remain small

Electric cars, hybrids and other alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs) are increasingly grabbing market share from traditional petrol and diesel models, new industry figures reveal.

The latest statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 9,955 AFVs were registered in September, a 56% rise on the same time last year.

This accounted for 2.3% of the total market – a 44% year on year rise – in a month that saw a 5.6% rise in overall registrations compared to September 2013. Diesel and petrol vehicles saw registrations grow just under 6% and 4% respectively, but diesel’s market share remained static, while petrol fell one percentage point as a result of the growth in registrations.

According to the SMMT, 37,842 AFVs have been sold during 2014, a more than 50% increase on the same point a year ago, while market share has also grown from 1.4% in 2013 to 1.9% this year.

An SMMT spokesman told BusinessGreen the AFV market is seeing the benefit of more models coming onto the market – there are now more than 20 plug-in vehicles available compared to six in 2011 ranging from hatchbacks and saloons to SUVs and sports cars – while consumers are increasingly aware of the advantages of zero emissions driving. He added:

“We do expect this trend to continue in the future as a number of models increases. Infrastructure is being well-supported by government at the moment, and as long as that continues there’s no reason why the market for plug-in vehicles shouldn’t grow even more in the coming months and years.”

Read more: Guardian