Almost 60,000 pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars were registered in the UK in 2018, representing a 19 per cent increase from the previous year.
According to figures by the national campaign for electric vehicles (EVs) Go Ultra Low, 59,911 vehicles were registered in 2018.
That equates to one new electric car registration every nine minutes in the UK.
The fourth quarter of the year saw a further 15,057 plug-in cars registered between October and December in 2018.
Accounting for 74 per cent of registrations, plug-in hybrids made up the bulk of the market.
Pure electric cars also saw a significant boost in 2018, up 14 per cent on 2017.
This takes the number of 100 per cent electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered in the UK to date to 196,343.
The South East saw the highest demand across the country, with 21,383 pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered – a 24 per cent increase on 2017.
Other leading regions include the West Midlands (8,601), South West (8,354), East Anglia (5,672), and Yorkshire and the Humber (5,344), making up the top five British regions for electric car uptake.
Last year was the seventh consecutive year of growth for the electric car market.
This, according to Go Ultra Low, is thanks to the increasing number of models available for consumers and businesses alike, as well as a trend for consumers making more sustainable choices.
Recent research by the company found that nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of British people would like to make the switch to an electric vehicle in 2019.
A range of new EV models are set to hit the market this year, including the all-electric Kia e-Niro, Audi e-tron and the recently announced Nissan Leaf which will feature an increased battery size.
Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, said: “In the context of the wider new car market, it is fantastic to see plug-in car registrations continue to go from strength-to-strength.
“Looking at the year ahead, 2019 is set to be a pivotal one for the electric car market.
“With even more new models being released, coupled with the introduction of initiatives such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, we’re confident that the next 12 months will be a landmark year for the nation’s switch to electric.”
Jesse Norman, future of mobility minister, said: “Record levels of electric vehicle registrations clearly show how fast the UK is moving towards greener transport.
“The government has invested almost £1.5 billion into our comprehensive Road to Zero strategy, continuing to pave the way to a zero emission future.”