British drivers are spending more time on the road, driving up road transport emissions at a rate that is being only partially offset by the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs), new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals today.

Road transport makes up around a fifth of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, with actual emissions from drivers rising by six per cent since 1990. Although improvements in fuel efficiency means the rise in emissions is significantly lower than the increase in road traffic, which has increased by 28 per cent over the same period, the continued upward trend means the the country is well off track for its medium and long term climate targets.

The data from the ONS today confirms only a tiny fraction of cars on UK roads last year were 'ultra low emission vehicles', mostly electric or hybrid cars. EVs share of the market is rising fast, but the ONS warned meeting the government's target to ensure every car, van and motorcycle is zero emission by 2050 will be a "significant challenge".

"Reducing emissions from road transport remains a significant challenge as the UK looks to reach net zero emissions by 2050; at the end of 2018, 0.5 per cent of all vehicles licensed in the UK were ultra-low emission vehicles," it noted. 

Jenny Bates, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said the data makes it clear that sales of petrol and diesel vehicles "have to stop as soon as possible".

"Admittedly there has been some progress but the ever increasing number of car miles is still locking us in to a high carbon future, as well as causing health-damaging air pollution," she said. "The only way to stop transport from leading us to further climate breakdown is to drastically cut the miles travelled by car. Cleaner options - such as bicycles, buses and trains - need to me made more accessible and more affordable, which will be good for the health of people and the planet."

However, there are signs the passenger car market in the UK could be fast approaching a tipping point when cleaner vehicles become the norm.

Data earlier this month from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed EVs' share of the new car market tripled between July and September to hit a record high of 3.4 per cent.

Meanwhile a new survey released today by Go Ultra Low, the government's campaign to promote low emission vehicles, found 69 per cent of people expect 'electric cars' to be known simply as 'cars' by 2030.

The survey, which questioned 2,000 people over the age of 18 earlier this month, suggested that people seeing electric cars on the road and driven by family and friends will make it more likely they will purchase one in the future.

"As electric vehicle sales reach record high, the potential of this market for the UK car industry and wider economy is huge," commented Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi. "We are committed to achieving our aim for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040 and I welcome the Go Ultra Low Campaign which will further support the transition to electric cars on our roads."