Get ready to get plugged in

If scrappage was the buzz-word of the car industry in the last 12 months, 'plug in grant' will be the phrase of 2011.

Government officials yesterday revealed details of a green car policy aimed at tempting buyers into electric cars which will be rolled out in January.

The £5,000 discount is to be offered to buyers of eligible electric cars, like the Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi i-MiEV, and will even extend to plug-in hybrids lie the Toyota Prius too.