AFVs popularity rises
Alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) saw a spike in popularity last month, accounting for a record five per cent of all fuel related searches on Auto Trader. It marks the first time AFV related searches have moved since July 2017.
At 48% of fuel related searches, diesel remains the most popular fuel-type on Auto Trader, however it recorded a one per cent decline on the previous month (49%). Petrol remained flat at 46% of searches.
On average, 22% of all searches that take place on Auto Trader each month are based on fuel type. Since November 2016 the number of searches for diesel cars has steadily declined in line with negative public commentary, falling from a record high of 71% to a record low of 47% in June 2018. Conversely, petrol grew from 27% to 46%. In contrast, AFVs recorded a relatively small movement during the same period, increasing from 2% to just 4%.
Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s director of commercial products, said, ‘The increase in popularity on our marketplace marks what has been a positive few months for AFVs, suggesting we are nearing a very significant turning point. Last month one in 12 new vehicles registered in the UK were electric, and in Q2, sales of second-hand zero emission cars increased 25%. What’s more, in July, a Renault Zoe was the fastest selling used car in the UK, which was a first for an all-electric vehicle.’
