As announced last month, from 1 March 2016, the scheme will offer different levels of funding for fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which will see the grant available for the latter half from £5000 to £2500.

The scheme allows a nine-month delivery period, with vehicles ordered before the end of February 2016 still qualifying for the full £5000 plug-in car grant. In response, Mitsubishi said the deadline is driving demand for its Outlander PHEV.

Toby Marshall, sales and marketing director, said: “We are having many more enquires than usual, as buyers are looking to order their Outlander PHEV before the grant reduces. Dealers are reporting a huge increase in interest and website traffic is higher than ever.”

The Outlander PHEV became the UK's biggest-selling alternative fuel vehicle last year, overtaking hybrid versions of the Toyota Auris and Yaris to record 11,786 registrations (+119% year on year). It accounted for nearly two thirds (64.6%) of plug-in hybrids registered, or 41.8% of all vehicles eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant during 2015.