The UK government is preparing to announce a £1.5bn ($2bn) support package to encourage a faster shift to electric vehicles (EVs), reported Reuters.

The package is expected to include an additional £1.3bn to expand the Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme, which subsidises purchases of new battery-powered cars.

Since its launch in July, the grant has supported more than 35,000 buyers, with discounts of up to £3,750 on the initial purchase price, the government said.

The measures are due to be outlined in the budget scheduled for 26 November.

Ministers are also expected to confirm a further £200m to speed up the deployment of public charging infrastructure across the country.

The policies form part of the UK’s broader plan to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

As an element of that strategy, the government intends to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

However, take-up of EVs has slowed, with high initial costs frequently cited by consumers as a primary obstacle.

The opposition Conservative Party has attacked the spending plans.

Conservatives Transport Policy chief Richard Holden said: "Ordinary families are facing increased taxes and spiralling inflation under Labour, yet the government's priority is handing out discounts on new electric cars.”

“This is exactly the kind of tone-deaf, big-spending nonsense that we expect from this Labour government.”

In August, UK Government announced the extension of critical financial incentives aimed at promoting the adoption of electric vans and trucks, with the objective of benefiting drivers and businesses nationwide.

The plug-in van and truck grant, which provides discounts of up to £5,000 for large vans, £2,500 for small vans, £25,000 for large trucks, and £16,000 for small trucks, will be maintained until at least 2027.