BOTH Wrexham and Flintshire have seen a massive growth in the number of registered electric and hybrid vehicles since 2011, data has shown.

The UK government wants to “lead the world in zero emission vehicle technology” by encouraging drivers around the country to go green and choose an ultra low or zero emissions vehicle.

Last year, some 46,000 electric vehicles were registered for the first time.

But a study released by the BBC Shared Data Unit states that not every local authority has been preparing for the rise in electric and plug in hybrid vehicles.

According to the study, only 28 local authorities in the UK have taken advantage of the government’s £2.5m funding pot for the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, which aims to help drivers to charge their vehicle.

Data released with the study shows that in the last quarter of 2011, just six electric or hybrid vehicles were registered in Flintshire, compared to 181 in the third quarter of 2018 - an increase of 2917 per cent.

This seemingly massive increase is dwarfed by that of Wrexham however.

In the last quarter of 2011, Wrexham had only two registered electric or hybrid vehicles.

In the third quarter of 2018 there were 127 - a massive increase of 6250 per cent.

In terms of charging facilities, Wrexham currently has six and Flintshire has seven.

Neither Wrexham of Flintshire Councils are among the authorities which have successfully applied for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme funds but Cllr David A Bithell, mead member for environment and transport at Wrexham Council, said: "The electric charging points were paid for from our carbon budget and income from our own solar farm.

"We are always looking at opportunities to increase our electric points for both visitors and staff and we are working across North Wales. "Income from the fee to charge for electric goes back into our carbon budget for future enters saving projects."

Steve Jones, Chief Officer Streetscene and Transportation said: ‘‘Flintshire County Council is committed to the reduction of CO2 emissions in line national Government targets and are currently developing a strategy to facilitate the implementation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points whilst also investigating the potential to develop home grown sources of renewable energy.

“Working in partnership with Welsh Government and neighbouring Authorities, a number of studies are currently underway in order to identify strategic locations for the implementation of charging infrastructure.

“Completion of the studies will enable the Authority to apply for grant funding made available by both the Welsh and national Governments whilst also contributing to the development of a regional strategy.”

Overall in Wales, the study shows there are 269 charging locations and 3,515 electric or plug in hybrid cars, LGVs and quadricycles licensed.

Out of 22 local authorities, more than half (13 or 59.09 per cent) had 10 or fewer charging locations.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Our vision is to have one of the best infrastructure networks in the world for electric vehicles, and we want charge points to be accessible, affordable and secure.

“Our Road to Zero strategy sets out our commitment to massively expand electric vehicle infrastructure, while the £400m public-private Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund will see thousands more charge points installed across the UK.

"This is part of a £1.5bn programme of investment to put the UK at the forefront of the transition to zero emission vehicles.”

A spokesman for the Climate Change Committee said: "Transport is the most polluting sector of the economy, contributing around a third of total UK greenhouse gas emissions each year.

"That’s a concern if the UK is to meet its legally-binding commitments to tackle climate change: emissions from cars, vans, lorries, trains must come down.

“We welcome many of the initiatives in the Government’s Road to Zero strategy, however our detailed assessment shows that there is far more work to do if the Government is to clean up the UK’s transport sector in the most cost-effective way.

"That includes a new vision for how people travel in future to promote cycling, walking and public transport whilst deterring car and van traffic."