As of June 30, 2012, a total of 814 claims were made for the government’s £5000 electric car grant in the first six months of 2012, compared to 892 claims received during the whole of 2011.

Slowly but surely, the Brits are going electric. The UK’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles paid out almost 20 percent more grants for the purchase of electric and hybrid cars in the first half of 2012 than it did in the same period in 2011.

Greenwise Business reported that as of June 30, 2012, a total of 814 claims were made for the government’s £5000 electric car grant in the first six months of 2012, compared to 892 claims received during the whole of 2011. A further 99 claims were made for the £8000 Plug-in Van Grant, which was launched at the beginning of 2012.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said the figures were “broadly in line” with Government expectations and that a greater choice of low emission vehicle models should help sustain the growth (five pure EVs are currently available and eligible for the grant). “The UK is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution and I am confident that sales will increase further with the introduction of new plug-in vehicles to the market over the coming year,” he said.

Image: ReeSaunders