ALPHABET’s behind 10% electric and hybrid vehicles eligible for the Government’s Plug-In grant  delivered for the year to date, highlighting its lead role.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) last week revealed that 23,109 new cars and LCVs were eligible for the Office of Low Emission Vehicles’ Plug-In car and van grants in 2016 so far, of which 2,176 are funded by or leased from Alphabet.

Alphabet’s total fleet portfolio of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) at the end of last month (August 2016) broke the 5,000 mark for the first time ever, amounting to 5,085 EVs and PHEVs.

With the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) announcing earlier this month that 4.2% of its leasing members’ vehicles and 3.7% of new registrations in the second quarter of 2016 are pure electric or plug-in electric, EV adoption continues to grow with the fleet leasing sector leading the way.

Mark Gibson, head of marketing & business development for Alphabet, comments: “From the outset, Alphabet has demonstrated our strategic commitment to supporting EVs and making low emission, sustainable mobility an everyday reality for businesses and public sector organisations in the UK.

“Our portfolio of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) continues to grow as more and more fleet decision makers, their employees and business drivers choose greener and more efficient vehicles to get from A to B.

“The continued growth in EVs and PHEVs, with new models becoming available and their move into the mainstream, gives our customers that haven’t yet adopted ULEVs as part of their fleet an exciting opportunity to explore the range of vehicles now available, as well as demonstrate the business case for reducing CO₂ and NOx emissions while realising cost savings.”

Earlier this year, Alphabet announced that it had helped leading London estate agent Chase Evans reduce emissions with 95% of its fleet now made up of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).