THE Cabinet at Cotswold District Council (CDC) has proposed an investment of £300,000 into more Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCPs).

Cabinet Members recommended that – subject to Council approval - the expansion of the existing EVCP network across the District.

They hope the proposal would encourage more people to buy Ultra Low Electric Vehicles and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2014 CDC introduced EVCPs at the Beeches Car Park in Cirencester and the Old Market Way Car Park in Moreton-in-Marsh in 2014.

Usage has grown annually since then and there were over 750 charges recorded over the last 12 months.

The new proposals envisage the installation of EVCPs in public car parks, and at the Council Offices.

There are also plans to install an EVCP at the depot used by Ubico Ltd, enabling the company to trial the use of electric vehicles.

No specific locations have been identified for the proposed public car park installations, but the plans would probably include a charging point in Tetbury and an additional facility in Cirencester.

Cllr Chris Hancock, CDC Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Partnership, explains: “Installing more EVCPs would build on our initial success and contribute further to the government’s 2050 zero emission target.

“Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle ownership is increasing rapidly across the country and this growth is on course to accelerate rapidly as the technology becomes cheaper and the charging network expands.”