The funding will go towards the rollout of electric car charging infrastructure, particularly on-street residential charging points, and plug-in vehicle grants.

Car manufacturers will also be mandated to ensure a certain proportion of the vehicles they sell are zero-emission each year from 2024.

The government said it will publish more details in its electric vehicle infrastructure strategy later this year.

The plans form part of the government’s Net Zero Strategy, which sets out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Other commitments include £450m of grants to encourage homeowners to replace old gas boilers for low carbon alternatives, and £2bn of investment to help half of all journeys in towns and cities be cycled or walked by 2030.

The government also reiterated its commitment to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and for all cars to be fully zero-emissions capable by 2035.

The measures come less than two weeks before world leaders meet at the UN COP26 summit in Glasgow to discuss plans for cutting emissions.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “The AA supports the moves towards Net Zero and believes that EV [electric vehicle] incentives can help us along that road.

“This new charge point funding targeted more at the 8 million households without dedicated off-street parking is a welcome step which will give power to electric drivers.

“However, the introduction of a ‘Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate’ is probably unnecessary. Manufacturers are already taking big steps in order to meet the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars and vans, but bringing in this ‘Red Tape’ exercise could harm car production plans already in place.”

Mike Hawes, chief executive of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Consumers need choice and encouragement, irrespective of where they live or what they drive. The additional targeted funding for electric vehicles is welcome and will help ensure affordability for certain models.”