A DRIVE to install electric vehicle charging points in council-owned car parks has moved up a gear.

Six car parks in West Oxfordshire have been selected as part of the first phase of the Oxfordshire Park and Charge project.

Thirty-five charging points capable of charging 70 vehicles will be provided, with installation work set to start in the spring ahead of completion by the summer.

The move was approved by West Oxfordshire District Council’s (WODC) cabinet yesterday.

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David Harvey, cabinet member for climate change at WODC, said: “Since declaring the climate emergency last year, we have been working incredibly fast to make positive changes to our environment and this is a major step forward.

“We know electric vehicle usage will accelerate quickly in the coming years and these charging points will help meet the needs of drivers in our town centres as they work, shop and visit, helping cut carbon emissions and improve air quality accordingly.

“It will also help residents who are unable to charge their vehicles outside their homes, providing them with off-street charging overnight.”

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The car parks set to install charging points are Woodford Way, Witney; Back Lane, Eynsham; Black Bourton Road, Carterton; Hensington Road, Woodstock and New Street, Chipping Norton.

The council will also create five charging points at its offices in Woodgreen, Witney.

The £5.2 million Oxfordshire Park and Charge project will be providing up to 280 fast charging points across the county in 2021.