Electric car use is on the rise in Westminster

Electric car technology is advancing rapidly, and the latest figures suggest that Westminster is getting on board the green revolution.

In 2018, the number of registered plug-in vehicles in the area increased by a quarter.

The latest Department for Transport statistics show the number of registered electric or plug-in hybrid cars, vans and micro-cars called quadricycles in Westminster.

At the end of 2017, there were 1,338 electric vehicles. By December last year, that figure had grown to 1,666. But back in 2013, in Westminster, there were just 223 electric cars, which shows the progress the industry has made in a short time.

Over the past few years manufacturers have increased the range of their vehicles, and prices have fallen, helping fuel the rise in environmentally friendly vehicles.

The latest Nissan Leaf, the UK’s most popular entirely electric car, can now travel 235 miles before it needs to be recharged, 80 miles more than the previous version.

In the next year BP will install charging points at its petrol stations, following Shell’s roll-out in 2017.

One advantage electric car users have over other vehicles is that they do not have to pay road tax, as they do not release any emissions. Electricity is also far cheaper than petrol and diesel, and green drivers have the satisfaction of helping save the planet.

However, in November, the Government reduced the maximum discount electric car buyers could get from £4,500 to £3,500.

Plug-in vehicles still make up a tiny percentage of the cars on the road in Westminster – there are 1,666 electric cars, and 57,778 vehicles in total.