British drivers are opting for Chinese electric vehicles, with new research showing interest surging almost 200 per cent in recent years.

Vehicles made in China have become more popular over the last 12 months thanks to low upfront prices, impressive battery ranges and impressive technology.

Some of the most popular brands making a splash on the UK market include BYD, Omoda, Jaecoo, Xpeng and GWM.

Chinese brands have already contributed to more than 20,000 new car sales in the UK so far this year, headlined by BYD's impressive 11,782 registrations.

BYD is one of the most popular Chinese brands in the UK, with almost 12,000 sales so far this year

Interest from motorists for the popular BYD Seal has jumped 200 per cent in the last year, according to The Electric Car Scheme.

The low-cost electric vehicle has been touted by many as being a rival to Elon Musk's Tesla Model 3, which is one of the most popular EVs in the UK already.

The BYD Seal has a staggering range of up to 354 miles, acceleration from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds, and a spacious 402-litre boot.

It could become more popular in the coming months with more employees making use of a salary sacrifice scheme to invest, with prices starting from as little as £386 per month.

Other BYD models are expected to make a positive impression on the UK market, with The Electric Car Scheme expecting orders for these models to rise 300 per cent this year.

Low, monthly prices are available for other BYD models, including £358 for the Atto, £298 for a Dolphin and £478 when choosing the newly-released Sealion 7.

BYD already has a market share of 1.68 per cent in the UK, with experts predicting that this will continue to grow as more motorists switch to zero emission vehicles.

It is also just over 1,200 sales short of Tesla's current total for this year, with the Chinese brand taking on Tesla for the UK's electric vehicle crown.

The MG4 is one of the brand's most popular models

Thom Groot, CEO and co-founder of The Electric Car Scheme, said: "It is no surprise that Chinese EVs, which are more affordable than rivals and equipped with modern and high-spec technology, are becoming more popular.

"It is true that Western models have taken a bit of a hit in terms of popularity over the past few months, but as much as anything else we see this as evidence of the rest of the pack catching up in terms of performance and quality."

Groot noted that the Seal, Dolphin and Sealion were "here to stay" as drivers positioning BYD as "the cars of the future".

The MG4 has also been praised for its affordability. Motorists can get their hands on the electric car for just £255 a month, despite having a staggering 435-mile battery range.

The Omoda E5 SUV is the brand's flagship electric car OMODA&JAECOO

Similarly, the Omoda E5 can be obtained through a salary sacrifice scheme from £298 per month, with 54 per cent of potential EV drivers considering the SUV.

Groot acknowledged how affordability was the "biggest barrier" to getting an electric car for most Britons, with many having a list price of more than £30,000.

He said the influx of cheap, new electric cars would be a "welcome addition" for motorists looking to switch to zero emission vehicles.

Many are also hoping that the low price of Chinese cars could help push other established brands to lower their prices to help motorists switch to cleaner vehicles.