New vehicle registrations fell by 67% from April to June 2020, compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Department for Transport.

By contrast, across the UK 19,000 ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were registered in Q2, an increase of 30% on Q2 2019. And across Mendip the numbers were even more remarkable - increasing 55%.

ULEV registrations shot up as lockdown eased - 145% in June and 250% in July 2020 compared to the same time in 2019 – making up nearly 8% of all new registrations with battery and electric car registrations doubling.

The rise of new registrations of alternative fuel cars was interrupted by the impact of coronavirus, with the first year on year decline in a quarter - down 13% - since 2011. However, with a total of 33,000 vehicles, more new alternative fuel cars were registered than new diesel cars for the first time. Diesel car registrations fell 81%, with petrol cars registration dropping by 72%, compared to the same period last year.

At the end of June there were 38.4 million licensed vehicles on Britain's roads – a 0.9% drop compared to the end of June 2019. This is only the consecutive decline in the total number of vehicles on the road since the end of the Second World War and the third drop in 75 years. New vehicle registration for April to June totalled 242,000.

UK lockdown hit vehicle dealerships hard with showrooms closing for the lockdown, which removed the main method by which new vehicles are sold. However there was welcome news for the industry in July, when a 12% increase in registrations was recorded compared to the same month last year, which is the first monthly increase since December.

Responding to the government's newly published data Greg Wilson, founder of leading car insurance comparison website, Quotezone.co.uk, comments: "Even the worst post-war recessions haven't inflicted such a devasting impact on the car industry. It's welcome news that there are positive signs starting to emerge for manufacturers and dealerships.

"It's interesting to see low emission vehicle sales are beginning to surge with statistics showing they were the only vehicles to show an increase in registrations this quarter - perhaps the dramatic effects of this year are driving a desire for a cleaner, greener lifestyle.

"Even the recent changes in working arrangements may have some contributing factors, with a decrease in long daily commutes to the office, and this has made low emission vehicles a viable option for more households, which only now need a car for shorter journeys.

"Whatever the reason behind this influx, the statistics suggest low emission vehicles are here to stay."

Quotezone offers insurance quotes for a wide range of these vehicles so you can review the various additional benefits from each provider and choose the most competitive price or appropriate policy to suit your needs.

For more information visit the Quote Zone site

The figures for Mendip sales of battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or range-extended electric:

Q2 2020: 456

Q1 2020: 424

Q4 2019: 379

Q3 2019: 335

Q2 2019: 293

Across Somerset as a whole :

Q2 2020: 1682

Q1 2020: 1603

Q4 2019: 1443

Q3 2019: 1314

Q2 2019: 1180