Moreton is looking to the future with the introduction of new electric charging with Bourton set to follow suit.
50wk rapid charge units have been installed at the Old Market Way car park in Moreton, replacing the Cotswold District Council’s outdated electric vehicle charging points.
The new charging points signal the start of the council’s plan to roll out more publicly available charging points.
Councillor Rachel Coxcoon, cabinet member for climate change and forward planning, is hopeful this project will encourage people to make the switch to electric.
She said: “The priority for low carbon transport is more walking and cycling which reduces road congestion, makes towns more vibrant, saves money and improves people’s health.
“Nonetheless as a rural district we can’t move away from cars altogether.
“While petrol and diesel vehicles still dominate our roads at the moment, the growth of electric vehicles is welcomed and set to continue, and it’s important that the infrastructure to underpin this is in place.
“However two of the most cited factors against switching right now are the perceived difficulties in charging up electric cars and range anxiety.
“By offering more places to charge, using the latest technology, we can go some way to filling this gap and give people the confidence to make the move to cleaner motoring.”
The project has been backed by funding allocated through the Cotswold Climate Investment, an initiative which invites the public to invest into local green projects.
Similar charging units have also been installed at the Beeches car park in Cirencester.
The second phase of the EVCP rollout is set to take place later in the year with four charging units, able to charge eight vehicles simultaneously, planned for the Rissington Road car park in Bourton.
This forms part of the wider redevelopment of the site.
There will also be four publicly available chargers installed at the Council offices in Trinity Road, Cirencester.
To use the chargers, motorists will need to download the EB Go! Smartphone app but the units are being upgraded to accept contactless card payments in the next few weeks.
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