UK leads EU's electric car drive in 2014 with 300% sales increase
The UK led the way in EU electric car sales in 2014, according to the industry figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA).
In the UK, car sales increased by over 300 per cent, up from 3,833 in 2013 to 15,361. Germany followed with a 70.2 per cent increase from 7,706 to 13,118 and in third was France with a 29.8 per cent increase, with sales boosting from 9,622 to 21,488.
Across the Europe Union and European Free Trade Association, which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, electric car sales rose to 97,791 from 65,091 indicating an 50.2 per cent growth in uptake. Car sales were measured by the number of newly registered vehicles.
The UK's boom in electric car sales was due to an extensive tax exemptions and cash incentives such as £5,000 premiums.
Riding the wave of the UK’s hunger for electric vehicles, BMW announced that it will be offering its electric i3 to commuters in a new, eco-friendly, pay-as-you-go ride-sharing scheme in Decemeber.