MORE drivers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are going green, according to figures showing a surge in electric vehicle registrations.

Motorists turning their backs on petrol and diesel contributed to a 40 per cent national rise in the number of newly registered ultra-low emission vehicles last year.

The RAC said the rise proves an "electric revolution" is underway across the UK – but the Green Party says more needs to be done to ensure a switch to electric motoring is sustainable long-term.

Department for Transport data shows 2,129 zero and ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were licensed to addresses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as of September – a 56 per cent increase from 1,368 a year earlier.

Of those, 508 (24 per cent) were registered to companies based in the area, while 1,621 were privately owned.

Of the ULEVs registered in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as of September, 1,284 were battery powered – defined as zero emission.

A further 745 were plug-in hybrid electric models, which combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine.