The Government is investing £5m in adding a further 140 ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) to its departmental fleets - including cars and vans to be used when transporting staff and equipment.
The Government Car Service, which provides vehicles for ministers, will also adopt four ULEVs.
The news comes after a Transport Network investigation revealed almost two years ago that the central government departmental car service had no electric vehicles (EV) in its fleet of cars for ministers – and only a quarter of its fleet were hybrids.
Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: ‘This is an important step. These cars will save taxpayers money on running costs and will bring low emissions benefits to our fleet.
‘Today’s announcement proves that Britain is leading the electric charge while supporting the growth of this important industry.’
The cash will also fund take-up across the wider public sector – including councils, police forces and the NHS.
Department for Transport officials said this was the first stage in a programme to ‘encourage fleets to commit to greater take-up over the coming years’.
Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: ‘I have led the drive for electric cars and vans across government because – with much lower running costs and close to zero emissions – this is the right thing to do for both the environment and the taxpayer.
‘This government is also investing significantly in ultra-low emission vehicles, and I recently launched a £10m battery prize for UK scientists to ensure that we are world-leading in this major new technology.’
