Sales of the vehicles are surging so fast the market looks set to meet government forecasts for the end of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040

Electric cars could out sell diesel and petrol models by 2027, according to industry experts.

Surging sales of electric vehicles suggest the market is on course to meet government forecasts for all new cars and vans to be electric by 2040.

And current trends put electric vehicles on the road to accounting for more than half of all new registrations – around 1.3m a year – by 2027.

The figures are revealed in a new automotive industry forecast by Go Ultra Low, the government and industry-backed campaign.

The electric car revolution began in 2011 with the launch of the plug-in car grant with just over 1,000 annual registrations.

Since then, record-breaking volumes of electric vehicles have been registered every year – 2015 saw more than 28,000 electric cars registered.

This year started with the best period for EV uptake since records began, with UK buyers registering the equivalent of one electric car every 13 minutes.

With vehicle manufacturers introducing more and more electric and plug-in hybrid models, the new car market is accelerating towards a point in the future where plug-in power overtakes petrol and diesel models.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express editor-in-chief, said:

“The positivity and appreciation of electric vehicles by their owners is suggestive of a step-change in public perception of these vehicles.

“We are moving towards a tipping point for electrically powered cars, so it’s entirely possible that by 2027 these vehicles will dominate the market as the top choice for new car buyers.”

Source: Mirror