MORE South Lakeland drivers 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% 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 667 ULEVs were licensed to addresses in South Lakeland as of September – a 64% increase from 406 a year earlier.

Of those, 147 (22%) were registered to companies based in the area, while 520 were privately owned.

Simon Williams from the RAC said the figures were proof of an "electric revolution" accelerating electric vehicles becoming more mainstream.

He said a wider choice of vehicles, longer travel ranges and fewer fears about having to recharge mid-journey meant more drivers were becoming more willing to take the "zero-emission plunge".

Mr Williams 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."

The Government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and ensuring all new sales are "zero emissions at the tailpipe" by 2035.

But 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.

She added that it would be a mistake to rely on electric vehicles to resolve the climate and air pollution crisis, saying: "It doesn't matter how cars are powered, they still contribute to traffic deaths, congestion and dangerous air pollution from tyre wear."

Of the ULEVs registered in South Lakeland as of September, 385 were battery powered – defined as zero emission.

A further 255 were plug-in hybrid electric models, which combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine.