Alphabet delivered more than 3,600 electric and plug-in vehicles in 2016, more than doubling its vehicle parc.

The order bank made up 10.2% of the UK’s total number of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) eligible for the Government’s grant. Of the 35,447 OLEV grant-eligible cars and LCVs delivered in 2016, 3,619 were funded by or leased from Alphabet.

Alphabet’s total fleet portfolio of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) reached nearly 7,000 at the end of 2016, a 220% increase over the year.

David Bushnell, product manager for Alphabet, said: “Alphabet has a strategic commitment to deliver more sustainable mobility solutions for corporates, public sector organisations, SMEs and employees. So our support of ULEVs is a practical demonstration of this approach, reflecting our customers’ appetite for these vehicles as an important part of their fleets. Over the twelve months of 2016, Alphabet’s ‘vehicle parc’ of EVs and PHEVs in the UK saw phenomenal growth - more than doubling in size - and our customer order bank continues to grow.

"We’re helping customers either to try these vehicles for the first time to see their benefit, or work with those customers who have dipped their toe in but need further support to drive greater EV adoption within the fleets, whether that is in terms of home, workplace and on the move charging or driver education and awareness.

He added: "With the price of fuel creeping up again there is a financial and environmental case for ULEVs as company vehicles, in spite of the mixed messages coming from the Government following last year’s Autumn Statement.”