Searches for alternatively-fuelled vehicles reach record high on Auto Trader

Searches for alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) on Auto Trader rose last month, accounting for a record five per cent of all fuel related searches. It marks the first time AFV related searches have moved since July 2017, having remained flat at four per cent.

At 48 per cent of fuel related searches, diesel remains the most popular fuel-type on Auto Trader, however it recorded a one per cent decline on the previous month (49 per cent). Petrol remained flat at 46 per cent of searches.

On average, 22 per cent of all searches that take place on Auto Trader each month are based on fuel type. Since November 2016 the number of searches for diesel cars has steadily declined in line, falling from a record high of 71 per cent to a record low of 47 per cent in June 2018. Petrol meanwhile grew from 27 per cent to 46 per cent. In contrast, AFVs recorded a relatively small movement during the same period, increasing from two per cent to just four per cent.

Commenting on the findings, Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s Director of Commercial Products, said: “The increase in popularity on our marketplace marks what has been a positive few months for AFVs, suggesting we are nearing a very significant turning point. Last month one in 12 new vehicles registered in the UK were electric, and in Q2, sales of second-hand zero emission cars increased 25%. What’s more, in July, a Renault Zoe was the fastest selling used car in the UK, which was a first for an all-electric vehicle.

“It suggests that the traditional barriers to entry, such as the price, the infrastructure and the range, are becoming less of an issue for consumers as awareness and education improves. With a strong pipeline of impressive ‘second generation’ hybrid and electric models coming into the market next year, combined with new charging infrastructure being installed across the country, we have every confidence that demand for electric is set for a huge surge.”