More than 314,000 new cars with zero tailpipe emissions were registered in 2023, an increase of 18%.

“If strong incentives on EVs can be made, then the ZEV mandate will be smashed,” according to the AA

The data, taken from the Vehicle Licensing Statistics released today by the Department for Transport, shows that zero-emission cars made up 16% of the total share of new cars on the road last year.

Although this is little changed from the 2022 figure, the AA said the outlook for EV sales looks positive and could set a new record in 2024, due to the ZEV mandate challenging manufacturers to sell at least 22% of their new cars with zero emissions.

As part of its Motoring Manifesto, the motoring organisation is calling on the Government to help achieve the ZEV mandate target by calling for incentives to help people swap out of gross polluting cars. Options such as an interest-free loan or scrapping VAT on new EV sales would help support lower-income households take part in the transition to electric cars.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “These latest figures show that the appetite for electric and zero-emission vehicles is there, but it is predominantly being led by those who are in company car schemes, or their employer offers a salary sacrifice scheme.

“If strong incentives on EVs can be made, then the ZEV mandate will be smashed. Manufacturers producing good offers, as well as government support, such as scrapping VAT on new EV sales, will help those with lower incomes play their part in the switch to zero-emission driving.”

The DfT data also shows that the number of privately owned diesel cars in London tumbled by 20.3% last year, with those in outer London down by 23.7%. Across the UK, the number of privately owned diesel cars was down by 3.2%.

Cousens added: “The demonisation of diesel vehicles in London, through measures such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone and ramped-up parking charges, have slashed their numbers by more than a fifth. However, although there has been a decline in diesel vehicles across the UK, its superior fuel efficiency ensures it is far from dead.”

Vehicle history check specialist CarVertical also said the growth in zero-emission cars begged the question of how much greater demand would be if public charging points were more numerous.

Matas Buzelis from CarVertical said: “If greater investment were being made into the infrastructure to support EVs, we could be seeing many more people make the switch.

“The average age of vehicles on the road in the UK is getting older, increasing from eight in 2018 to 10 in 2023. The cost-of-living crisis is likely to be a contributing factor for this as many drivers are holding off replacing their ageing car or buying older vehicles because they are cheaper. With many cities such as London and Bristol charging motorists of older vehicles to enter central areas because of their higher emissions, it is drivers who are priced out of the electric car market that are losing out.”