According to the latest data from leasing.com annual demand for plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK surpassed diesel for the first time in 2021 as consumers rapidly transition to electric.
Data from the car leasing comparison website shows sales enquiries for electric vehicles grew by 106 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, while demand for diesel fell by seven percent last year.
Overall, there were 75 percent more sales enquiries for plug-in electric cars than there were for diesel vehicles. This suggests the fuel type has been consigned to history by many private motorists.
This rising demand for electric vehicles meant they accounted for 30 percent of Leasing.com’s total sales enquiries in 2021. This is up from 19 percent in 2020 and only beaten by petrol, which accounted for 52 percent of new car enquiries last year.
Whilst the category of plug-in electric vehicles includes hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), it was zero-emissions battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that drove the sector forward.
These clean battery electric vehicles saw a 101 percent rise in demand in 2021 compared to 2020. They accounted for over 16 percent of Leasing’s total enquiries in 2021, just shy of diesel at 17 percent and up from 10 percent in 2020.
Paul Harrison, Leasing.com head of strategic partnerships, said: “Just a few years ago, consumers were unsure about EVs due to range, cost and infrastructure. Those concerns have eased for many consumers thanks to new BEVs regularly topping 300 miles on a full charge and more accessible models and body styles entering the market.
If 2020 was the tipping point, then 2021 was the year that electric motoring entered the mainstream. It’s clear that a shift to a pure electric future isn’t as wild as previously thought. We expect EV sales enquiries to surpass 50% of total Leasing.com enquiries this year, and BEVs to account for 25% of all demand.”
Leasing.com saw the Tesla Model 3 leading their battery electric vehicle list in 2021. This was followed by the Volkswagen ID.3 and Hyundai IONIQ in third. Hyundai’s latest release, the IONIQ 5 was fourth, with the Hyundai Kona rounding out the top five.
Leasing.com Top Five Plug-in Electric Vehicles
- Tesla Model 3
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Toyota RAV 4
- Hyundai IONIQ
- Hyundai Kona 2020
Leasing.com Top Five Battery Electric Vehicles
- Tesla Model 3
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Hyundai IONIQ
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
- Hyundai Kona
