Growth in sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles

Sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) are up 21.3 per cent compared with the first six months of 2015, according to SMMT data.

Alternatively Fueled Vehicles now account for 3.2 per cent of the overall new car market.

The UK new car market in general grew by a steady 3.2 per cent in the first six months of the year. 1,420,636 new cars have been registered so far in 2016 – the best half-year performance ever recorded.

Demand in June eased slightly, with a -0.8 per cent fall in registrations, meeting expectations that market growth would stabilise following a record 2015. Fleet registrations continued the trend of recent months, driving the market with a 4.5 per cent rise and compensating for a -4.5 per cent drop in private registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “It is far too soon to determine whether the referendum result has had an impact on the new car market. The first six months saw strong demand at record levels but the market undoubtedly cooled over the second quarter. It’s important government takes every measure to restore business and economic confidence to avoid the market contracting in the coming months.”

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