The installation, supported by Leicestershire County Council and the Cenex-backed Midlands Plugged-in Places scheme, forms part of ongoing plans to make all ground operations carbon neutral by the end of this year. Long-standing partner of the airport, bmibaby, has become the first to add an electric vehicle to its fleet as part of the project.

Erik Fairbairn, chief executive of POD Point Ltd said: ‘We are delighted that POD Point EV charging points will be part of a successful ground operations carbon reduction programme. Providing the infrastructure for electric vehicles shows a clear, long-term commitment to lowering carbon emissions, and it has been a particular pleasure to see an airport going down this route in addition to purchasing offsets.’

East Midlands Airport has also partnered with Carbon Footprint Ltd, implementing phase two of its carbon neutral strategy by offsetting emissions through a hydropower project in Turkey. The Keban Project provides renewable and carbon-free power to the grid and its associated reservoir doubles up as a sustainable trout fishery for local residents.

Neil Robinson, director of sustainability at East Midlands Airport, commented: ‘It’s incredibly important to us to work with all partner companies based on site to share best practice and encourage innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions. Whilst we are on track to hit our carbon neutral target in 2012, we think it is paramount to help other companies to be greener. The carbon partner scheme has been especially successful and all companies involved are pleased with the output of the scheme.’