Drivers have a wider choice of electric vehicles than ever before, with two in five models on the UK market available as a zero emission version, as experts call for more to be done to support drivers to make the switch.
New data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that car buyers can choose from more than 130 battery electric vehicles, almost 30 more than the same time last year.
There are also more than 100 plug-in vehicles and nearly 50 hybrids on the market, meaning four in five car models are available with electrified powertrains.
The technology on offer is also far more suitable for those looking to switch, with the average EV now capable of travelling 300 miles on a single charge.
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Drivers have a wide range of electric vehicles to choose from, with 130 models on the market
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This represents a dramatic increase compared to last year's average of 235 models, while the maximum range is an impressive 480 miles - more than twice the average distance travelled per week.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed in January that no new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030, while all new cars and vans would be 100 per cent zero emission five years later.
Labour also confirmed changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to have at least 28 per cent of sales come from electric cars by the end of this year.
This will gradually rise to a target of 80 per cent by the end of the decade, with drivers able to buy new petrol and diesel hybrids until 2035.
While some in the motoring industry are not happy about allowing hybrid sales after 2030, the average plug-in hybrid has an electric-only range of just under 50 miles, with some having a range of 88 miles.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: "There's never been a better time to go electric - with more choice, better vehicle range and improving infrastructure offering a compelling driving proposition.
"But the market still isn’t moving fast enough, so bold support for consumer EV uptake - notably investment in incentives and infrastructure - is needed to accelerate decarbonisation efforts and make switching open to all drivers."
Electrified models, including EVs and hybrids, now make up 45 per cent of UK new car sales, with all drivers able to get their hands on an EV, regardless of the vehicle they want to purchase.
The SMMT is now calling for Labour to scrap or amend the Vehicle Excise Duty Expensive Car Supplement on vehicles which have a list price of more than £40,000.
Since April 2025, any new purchases of electric vehicles over the £40,000 "luxury tax" threshold, with motorists required to pay £425 for the first five years of ownership.
Hawes said: "We're talking to Government about whether they will amend that because that was introduced in 2017. Set at a rate of £40,000 vehicles and above, it hasn’t moved since 2017.”
“Obviously, inflation means an increasing number of numbers of cars are subject to that sort of fiscal drag and drawn into that, and the overwhelming majority of EVs are subject to an Expensive Car Supplement, which is not the message you’re trying to give consumers."
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The Expensive Car Supplement applies to all vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000 PANew electric vehicles maintained a healthy 20.4 per cent of the new market share in April, although the SMMT notes that natural demand is "still well below" the ZEV mandate.
It has also suggested that the Government could halve the rate of VAT on the purchase of new electric cars to boost uptake of clean vehicles.
Estimates suggest this would add 267,000 extra electric vehicles to the road every year, with drivers turning away from petrol and diesel models.
The SMMT also wants the VAT rate on public charging stations to be slashed from 20 per cent to just five per cent - in line with the rate applied to home chargers.
