Commenting on the news, the website’s editor, Faye Sunderland says: “This fund is a very important part of the move towards low carbon transport. It is essential that the market for electric cars is supported to help push the industry forward beyond a gas-guzzling past.

“These grants will make a real difference to consumers and will allow motorists to make, what to them remains, a seismic shift in their mode of transport. It is great news that even in these times of financial austerity, the government is showing confidence in the role that electric cars can play in reducing transport-related pollution and it is this confidence that will influence car buyers,” she adds.