Registrations of new plug-ins and hybrid cars more than quadrupled in 2013 according to a report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The SMMT’s report showed that 32,727 new hybrid cars and plug-ins were sold last year, which represents a 17.5% year-on-year increase.
In 2011, hybrid vehicles made up just 4.7% of the market share, but this increased to 12.3% by 2013.
Hybrid technology has become more and more accessible in recent years, with the Toyota Prius kicking off the trend two decades ago.
Automotive giants Ford, Lexus and Audi have since produced their own hybrid cars.
Plug-Ins and Hybrid Cars
There are three main types of plug-in cars. These are a Plug-in Battery Electric Vehicle, a Plug-In Electric Vehicle, and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
The latter is a combo of an all-electric car and a hybrid vehicle which can use either diesel or petrol for its motor.
A Plug-in Electric Vehicles relies on rechargeable battery packs that drivers charge from the National Grid.
Drivers can charge the rechargeable battery in a Plug-in Battery Electric Vehicle from a front charging port.
Presently, the Nissan Leaf is the world’s most popular electric car, with sales surpassing the 100,000 mark.
Other popular electric cars include the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Smart ED and the BMW 1 Series ActiveE.
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