Amount of electric vehicles increased by six times in Wiltshire last year
A rise of more than 530%
The number of electric vehicles in Wiltshire last year increased by six times from 2020.
Department for Transport figures show there were 10,146 battery-electric vehicles in Wiltshire at the end of 2021 – up from 1,608 at the end of 2020, a 531% rise.
It meant 8,538 electric vehicles were newly registered in 2021 – more than 13 times the 611 the year before.
The Government is aiming to entirely phase out petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030, with battery electric vehicles planned to account for all car sales by 2035.
Auto Trader said the recent surge is positive, but that electric cars are still too expensive for many people to make the switch from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.
Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader said:
"Over the last year, we’ve seen significant strides in range capability, as well as a growing choice of makes, models and body types, right now there’s one new electric vehicle coming onto the market per week.
"With the average electric vehicle costing around 30% more than traditionally fuelled alternatives, they remain out of reach for all but the most affluent car buyer."
Across the UK, the number of electric vehicles on the roads almost doubled, increasing by 94% from 215,000 at the end of 2020 to 420,000 last year.
The Government hopes to install 300,000 public charging points by 2030.
They've launched a survey to find out whether it's something that would be used by residents.