Transport minister Baroness Kramer has announced the government will introduce plug-in cars and vans across all Whitehall departments and agencies.

The £5 million ultra low emission vehicle readiness project has been set up to allow every central government fleet to review its arrangements and consider how greener vehicles can be used.

During the first wave of the scheme over 150 plug-in vehicles will be added to government fleets. Charge points are to be installed in both phases to  provide infrastructure support for the new cars and vans.

The Government Car Service is at the forefront of the initiative. Its review is already underway and plans are in place to order the first electric cars in the autumn.

Chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander said: "I am delighted the Government Car Service is leading the move to electric vehicles and I will be one of the first in line to use one." 

In the autumn, electric vehicles will be rolled out across other parts of the public sector, including councils, police forces and the NHS.