Almost 10,000 ultra-low emission vehicles registered in Central Bedfordshire in past year
Almost 10,000 ultra-low emission vehicles were registered in Central Bedfordshire during the past year, according to figures from the Department for Transport.
Data shows that 9,839 ULEVs were registered across the region in the year to June, an increase of 37 per cent on the 7,157 registered a year earlier.
The Vehicle Certification Agency defines ULEVs as having less than 75 grams of CO2 per kilometre from the tailpipe, which includes pure EVs and other plug-in EVs when driven in electric mode.
Of the ULEVs registered across Central Bedfordshire in the past year, 6,034 were battery EVs.
This broke down to 39 plug-in hybrid EVs powered by diesel, 3,472 plug-in hybrid EVs powered by petrol and 294 which relied on other fuel types.
Nationally the number of ULEVs in the UK increased from 1.85 million in June 2024 to 2.5 million in June 2025, a rise of 34 per cent.
This meant that 5.8 per cent of the 42 million vehicles registered in the country were ULEVs.
Of the total number of ULEVs registered in the UK as of June around 65 per cent were battery EVs, 30 per cent were plug-in hybrid EVs powered by petrol, 0.4 per cent were plug-in hybrid EVs powered by diesel and four per cent relied on other fuel types.
Climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth Sandra Bell said: "The increase in EVs is extremely welcome and needs to continue at pace to cut air pollution as well as tackle climate change.
"However, more must be done to ensure the EV rollout is equally accessible across the country.
"The steep upfront cost of vehicles and limited charging availability are barriers ministers must urgently address.
"The Government included some measures to help remedy this in its recent climate plan, but more focus must be paid to affordability and the regional difference in charging infrastructure."
Separate figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that EV sales hit a record high in October.
Reacting to those figures Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Another month of record-breaking EV sales shows more families than ever have the confidence to go electric.
"Over 30,000 people have saved thousands thanks to our Electric Car Grant and, alongside public charge points hitting 83,000 and more help to install chargers at home, we’re making it easier and cheaper for families to make the switch."