More drivers in Somerset West and Taunton are switching to low-emission vehicles, new figures show, as cities look to introduce penalties for drivers who contribute to polluting the atmosphere.

But the RAC said the high up-front cost of electric vehicles – the most popular low-emission vehicles – was still putting many people off buying them, despite their lower running costs.

New figures from the DVLA show there 5,964 low-emission vehicles were registered in Somerset West and Taunton as of March 2023 – up from 4,228 the year before, and 868 in 2018.