Fleets boost plug-in hybrid sales 23 | 08 | 2016
SALES OF PLUG-IN hybrids are being boosted by the upsurge in fleet orders. Latest figures supplied by Go Ultra Low confirms fleet demand for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) grew 45% in the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2015 (Mitsubishi offers £2500 PHEV deposit).
Further analysis of the figures highlights that while more than 15,000 PHEVs were added to fleets between January and July this year — which accounted for 72% of overall demand — private buyers accounted for just 28% of PHEV purchases.
That figure would appear to show the government’s £4500 ‘discount’ on PHEVs isn’t making a huge impact on the decision-making financial plans of private car buyers.
In contrast, the uptake by fleet managers has been boosted by a new government initiative that encourages the uptake of low-emission vehicles in company fleets.
Related: Scots dealership plugs the EV gap
Signing up to the Go Ultra Low campaign allows a business to receive a Go Ultra Low company status if 5% of its fleet is made up of electric vehicles by 2020.
Perhaps worth highlighting here that Go Ultra Low is a joint government and car industry campaign aimed at encouraging more drivers to switch to electric.
Since it was launched in May, 65 British companies have now joined Go Ultra Low, with the organisations ranging from small businesses to 800-year-old universities.
While British drinks company Britvic, which currently has 20 electric vehicles, has pledged to more than double its plug-in fleet to 50 by 2020, Cambridge University said 9% of its company car fleet is electric.
Interestingly, the AA has predicted that half a million cars on Britain's roads will be plug-in or fully electric by 2020.
At the moment, that figure appears a long way off, though there is no denying the technology is advancing at a rapid rate, and leading car makers — including Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen and Mercedes have committed to grow their electric ranges in the next few years.
Related: New Kia Niro hybrid crossover
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Jim McGill