The number of electric vehicle charging points in Wychavon’s public car parks is set to soar thanks to a £150,000 investment.

A total of 20 new 7Kw chargers are being installed as part of Wychavon’s commitment to supporting the growth of the ultra low emission vehicle market, to help reduce the district’s carbon footprint. Once work is completed at the end of March, it will take the number of EV chargers in Wychavon’s public car parks to 24.

The project is being part funded by a grant of £64,000 from the Government’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and is supported by the Energy Saving Trust.

The new charging points will be available in car parks at the following locations:

Asda, Pershore - 4

Station Car Park, Broadway – 4

Civic Centre, Pershore – 2 (2 already installed)

Waitrose, Droitwich – 4 (2 already installed)

Evesham Leisure Centre, Abbey Road – 6

Motorists will have to pay for their parking and electricity separately. Residents will be able to use the chargers of an evening as Wychavon’s car parks are free after 6pm, but they will still have to pay for their electricity.

Wychavon is also investing in a new all electric vehicle for staff to use while on council business, as a replacement for the hybrid vehicle it bought in 2012.

Cllr Emma Stokes, Executive Board Member for Environment on Wychavon District Council, said: “We have already seen the number of ultra low emission vehicles on Wychavon’s roads increase by more than 500% since 2011 and it will continue to increase over the coming years. This investment will help ensure we are playing our part in supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market and, along with all our other low carbon initiatives, contribute to our ambition to reduce the district’s carbon footprint.”