MORE drivers across BCP are going green as the number of electric vehicles registered in the area surged last year, figures show.

Department for Transport statistics show 1,483 ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were licensed in the conurbation at the end of last year – 404 more than at the end of 2019, when there were 1,079.

The figures include battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel cell electric vehicles.

Of the additions, the majority (286) were registered to private keepers, while 118 were to the addresses of local firms.

However, the DfT said a vehicle’s address does not necessarily reflect where it is located, especially for large fleets kept by companies for leasing or rentals.

Overall, ULEVs still only accounted for around 0.6 per cent of all vehicles licensed in BCP at the end of last year – below the UK average of 1.1%.

The Government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and ensuring all new sales are “zero emissions at the tailpipe” by 2035.

In BCP, 858 of the ULEVs licensed at the end of the year were battery electric vehicles – defined as zero emission.

A further 545 were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said that more alternative fuel cars were registered across Great Britain for the first time last year, although this includes some types of hybrid vehicles not classed as ULEVs.

“This is proof that more people are moving away from diesel cars, as we build back greener and clean up the air in our towns and cities,” she added.

“With £2.8 billion of government support to encourage their take-up, there has never been a better time to switch to an electric vehicle.”