Nearly a third (29.3%) of models on the new car market are available as zero emission, giving Brits the best-ever choice of ways to go electric.

There are now some 102 battery electric models to choose from in the UK new car market

There are now some 102 battery electric models to choose from, up from just 16 in 2014, according to new analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

Zero-emission options are available in every car segment – from superminis to compact crossovers, luxury saloons and sports cars – with the choice set to grow still further thanks to a slew of electric model launches in the coming years.

The average BEV range is now 236 miles, rising to nearer 300 for models launching this year. And some EVs are on sale with a maximum range of 450 miles, more than three times the average distance drivers travel in a week.

Supported by the fast-rising number of EV choices, new car buyer demand for BEVs has risen 10.6% in the first four months of the year, equating to sales of 107,031 fully electric cars and giving a 15.7% share of the new car market. The used BEV market also hit a new high in the first quarter of this year.

Although nine in 10 electric car drivers say they wouldn’t go back to a conventionally fuelled vehicle and manufacturers are offering compelling discounts on the latest BEVs, more than eight in 10 car buyers still choose other powertrains – mostly petrol or hybrid.

With carmakers compelled to sell ever-greater numbers of BEVs under the ZEV mandate, the SMMT continues to call for action to address the main barriers to greater BEV uptake, in particular, affordability and charge anxiety.

It’s pressing for urgent measures to lower vehicle costs and improve the UK’s charging network, while also providing private buyers with a similar level of fiscal incentives as those enjoyed by fleet and business buyers.

Temporarily halving VAT on new BEV purchases combined with cutting the VAT on public charging from 20% to 5% in line with domestic use would also drive demand, potentially putting over a quarter of a million EVs on the road instead or petrol or diesel cars.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The industry can only do so much on its own,  and if we are to make EVs open to all and drive the net zero transformation we all need, further support is required. It’s time to reform taxes on these vehicles, to make public charging more affordable, quicken the pace of charge point rollout and, put to bed some of the myths about these crucial vehicles. They are the future and they’re available now.”