At least 200,000 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be registered in the UK in 2021, according to a forecast from EV leasing firm DriveElectric, helped by the company car tax incentives on EVs.

Latest SMMT figures show a total of 108,205 BEVs were registered last year – up 185.9% on 2019 – and DriveElectric is expecting at least an 85% increase on that in 2021.

Its forecasts are based on the Government’s recent announcement that of the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans and the ongoing financial incentives for BEVs under company car tax rates; the current 0% BiK rate on zero-emission cars will rise to just 1% for the 2021/22 tax year.

Other growth factors include rising numbers of BEVs on sale due to increased production as well as new initiatives and charging Clean Air Zones, including the CAZ in Bath starting in March – which will be the first charging CAZ outside London.

DriveElectric says there is also growing environmental awareness, about climate change and also about challenges with local air quality.

And from 2025, DriveElectric forecasts BEVs will account for around 50% of new car registrations, ahead of the 2030 ban, which will bring higher lease costs for petrol and diesels as sales decline. Meanwhile, EV prices will become competitive with prices of ICE vehicles.

Mike Potter, managing director, DriveElectric, said: “In 2021 there will be even more EV models on sale, so motorists looking to save money on running costs and to banish tailpipe emissions will have even more choice.”