It brings the total number of claims to 8,724 as of the end of March, with 2,025 (23%) of those made since the 1st January 2014. SMMT data shows almost half would have been for the Nissan LEAF, the UK's biggest selling vehicle, which recorded 898 sales in the first quarter and 630 during March.

There were also 37 claims for the Plug-in Van Grant, which launched in February 2012, bringing the total to 441 according to OLEV figures.

Launched in January 2011, the Plug-in Car Grant offers £5,000 (or up to 25% of the value) off the purchase of an electric or plug-in hybrid model. To qualify, these must emit less than 75g/km, have a top speed of more than 60mph, and meet requirements for range and battery warranty set out by OLEV.

Although the market is gathering pace, the claims are still noticeably behind the 8,600 which the government had budgeted for in the first 12 months of the Plug-in Car Grant. A Coalition-backed project, named Go Ultra Low, launched in January to market the benefits to consumers, and will include £9.3m investment in charging points nationwide.