Norfolk drivers are getting behind the wheels of more electric cars than ever before, new data has revealed.

Norwich Evening News: The UK network of charging points for electric cars is growing all the time in places such as motorway services. Picture Andy Russell 2014The UK network of charging points for electric cars is growing all the time in places such as motorway services. Picture Andy Russell 2014 (Image: Andy Russell)

The amount of electric vehicles registered in the county has risen by a staggering 53% in the financial year of 2017 to 2018.

And for the rest of this year, it looks as though even more buyers are opting to go green with their vehicle purchases.

Between January and March this year, 1,056 electric vehicles had been registered in Norfolk, a jump of 367 more than this time last year.

Compared to five years ago, when there were only 49 electric cars in Norfolk, there has been a clear shift in the consumer's consciousness.

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Foley, franchise owner at the Brundall A47 McDonalds, with the electric car Pod Point charging point. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYKevin Foley, franchise owner at the Brundall A47 McDonalds, with the electric car Pod Point charging point. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Martin Taylor is a sales manager with Volvo, which sells the most electric and hybrid vehicles at Holden motors in Norwich.

Mr Taylor said: 'We're selling a lot of hybrid and electric cars at the moment particularly to company car users, because they don't have to pay for petrol and is better for tax reasons.

'Because of the demand we've now got waiting lists until the end of the year, and into next year.'

Companies are also making a commitment to hybrid and electric cars on an international scale.

Mr Taylor continued: 'From 2020 every single Volvo car you see will be available in a hybrid option. A lot of what's driving electric car sales is the fact that people don't know what the government are going to do with taxing diesel, which is now seen as the 'dirty fuel'.'

He added: 'If you got into a hybrid car, and then a diesel, and then petrol, you wouldn't notice the difference. If anything, you may get better acceleration in a hybrid or electric car.'

Suffolk drivers are on their way to out-buying their Norfolk counterparts, boasting one of the largest increases in electric car buying in the country,

Between 2017 and 2018, the number of registered vehicles in Suffolk increased by 73%, with 173 vehicles being bought in the first quarter of 2018.

Back in 2013 there were fewer than five electric cars in Suffolk, which shows the progress the industry has made in a short time.