The UK Government is extending the current plug-in car grant scheme until next year.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) made the announcement today in a bid to encourage the uptake of more electric cars.

It will continue to offer discounts worth up to £5,000 on plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs) until at least February 2016.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP said: “The UK is now the fastest growing market for electric vehicles in Europe. We will continue to invest to help make this technology affordable to everyone and to secure the UK’s position as a global leader.”

A review on the current levels of support for greener cars will take place in the Autumn Spending Review in November.

The Scottish Government is also providing £2.5 million for plug-in hybrid and EVs. Off road trials for the technology needed to power those cars are to take place later this year.