Commenting on the report, Northern Ireland’s Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville said effective fleet management is “critical” for the PSNI.

She added: “Achieving the planned fleet replenishment rates within the current financial environment will be challenging, however, managing an ageing fleet is also costly, with potentially significant operational impacts.

“This report finds that progress has been made in a number of areas but that there is much more to be achieved, particularly in relation to the introduction of electric vehicles.”

The PSNI had planned to have about 700 electric vehicles by next year.

As of last October it had 179.

Electric vehicles are said to be unsuitable for many roles within the PSNI, including an inability to carry the weight of armouring.

Assistant Chief Officer Mark McNaughten of the PSNI said the nature of its “current budgetary situation remains profoundly challenging”.

He said the PSNI is committed to improving its fleet, “however, years of underfunding have impacted our ability to deliver on the outcomes set in the fleet strategy”.

“The Police Service warned back in January 2023 that lack of funding for the organisation would lead to a reduced operational fleet, with damaged or broken vehicles waiting longer for repair,” he added.

“This prediction is borne out in the report.

“We will work closely with our partners in the Department of Justice and NI Policing Board in responding to the report recommendations.”