EV ownership in North of England doubled in 2021, claims UK Government
Sales of EVs (electric vehicles) more than doubled in the North of England, according to new figures released yesterday (24 May), as the Government hopes to drive towards cleaner more affordable travel.
New statistics show the UK’s transport revolution is well underway, claims the government, with electric vehicle (EV) registration numbers in the North of England rising to 74,677 in 2021.
More than a quarter of a million EVs now travel on UK roads and sales of plug-in vehicles have reached all-time highs, with 327,000 registered last year alone – a 77% rise compared to 2020.
The statistics were released by the Department for Transport yesterday, ahead of the Transport Secretary meeting with Northern leaders and Mayors, as part of the Northern Transport Acceleration Council, to discuss green transport innovation and the Government’s mission to build strong infrastructure, transport links and economic growth in regions across the nation.
The Secretary of State also discussed the Government’s recently published Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, backed by £1.6 billion funding, to boost on-street EV charging by tenfold and eradicate so-called “range anxiety” across the UK.
By 2030, the UK expects to reach 300,000 public electric vehicle chargepoints by 2030 – equivalent to almost five times the number of fuel pumps on our roads today.
Says Transport Secretary Grant Shapps:
“With a £2.5 billion cash injection, the UK continues to be a global front-runner in the switch to electric vehicles – helping drivers to save money on fuel, while moving towards our net zero targets.
“I’m pleased to be meeting with colleagues today to ensure the North of England has the support it needs for an emission-free transport future, as we clean up our air and support green jobs across the nation.”
Not only is the UK’s move towards emission-free transport supporting up to 40,000 new automotive jobs, but it’s cleaning up the country’s air with average CO2 emissions for cars decreasing by 11% last year, it claims.
In the drive to net-zero transport, the Government has committed to phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, ensuring all drivers benefit from EVs and their significantly lower running and refuelling costs.
This ambition, combined with billions of pounds of support from the industry, will cement the UK’s leading position in the design, manufacture and use of zero-emission vehicles, which are providing new economic opportunities by boosting employment, investment and exports.
