Electric vehicles' £5k Govt subsidy

DRIVERS could get £5,000 from the Government if they buy an electric car, The Sun can reveal.

The subsidy, to be unveiled today, will start in January, just before the UK launch of the ground-breaking Nissan Leaf.

Anyone buying a new generation electric car, or ultra-low carbon hybrid, will get 25 per cent off, up to a maximum £5,000.

It cuts the Leaf's cost from £28,350 to £23,350.

Once charged, the cars run for about 70 miles, costing just 3p a mile.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond called it a "vital step".

Nissan said the subsidy will make electric cars a "financially viable alternative" to petrol or diesel.

ENERGY Secretary Chris Huhne yesterday spelled out plans for huge offshore wind farms and to encourage private investment in new nuclear power in his first annual Commons statement.