HUNDREDS more of the district's drivers are going green, according to figures revealing a surge in electric vehicle registrations.

Department for Transport data shows 816 ULEVs – ultra-low emission vehicles – were licensed to addresses in Braintree as of September – an 82 per cent increase from 448 a year earlier.

That is way ahead of a 40 per cent national rise as more motorists turn their backs on petrol and diesel.

In the Braintree district, almost a quarter were registered to companies based in the area, while 630 were privately owned.

And 446 were battery powered – defined as zero emission.

Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the national figures were proof of an "electric revolution".

He added: "If petrol and diesel prices continue to stay at near record levels those who can afford to will be increasingly tempted to go electric."

Caroline Russell, the Green Party's spokeswoman for transport and healthy streets, said the Government and councils must do more to provide a better network of charging points to ensure switching to electric vehicles is viable and efficient.

Gridserve opened the country's first Electric Forecourt at Great Notley just over a year ago, with 36 chargers and "best of British" retailers, including WH Smiths and the Post Office.

A Government spokesman said the statistics show drivers are increasingly confident in switching to electric vehicles, adding: "We look forward to seeing this trend continue as we work towards the UK's ambitious net-zero targets."