From this month more than 40 charging points will be available in Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Armagh, Enniskillen and Larne, and over the next year the Government plans to increase this number to 140.

There will also be a network of rapid chargers close to major roads that will be able to charge a vehicle to 80% of its capacity in 25 minutes.

Stormont ministers have also announced that the first 300 people (either private buyers or fleets) who buy an electric car will receive a grant of £1,500 to install a charging point.

This comes on top of the £5,000 grant which can be used to discount the price of a new electric car (or £8,000 in the case of a new electric van).

Environment minister Alex Attwood said: ‘My aim is to make Northern Ireland a world leader in carbon reduction and the use of electric vehicles, ideally powered by electricity from renewable sources, is an excellent way to decarbonise transport and contribute to our climate change, air quality and noise objectives.

‘I see electric vehicles as an exciting part of our transport future and I would encourage both individuals and fleet buyers to consider electric vehicles as a truly viable alternative to petrol or diesel power.’

Northern Ireland received £850,000 of public funding in 2010 from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles to kick-start its electric vehicle plan.