The signs for electric vehicle charge points should be turned green to make them more prominent, new research has found.

Drivers overwhelmingly preferred a switch to a green parking sign from the official blue parking signs for charge points

Research carried out by the AA among 17,500 drivers found more than eight out of 10 (85%) preferred a switch to a green parking sign from the official blue parking signs for charge points.

The analysis was carried out following a survey in December 2019 where nine out of 10 drivers (89%) said there should be a universal sign to indicate where charge points are.

The research indicates that changing the sign could help overcome the idea that there is a shortfall of charge points – even though there are now more charge stations than fuel stations.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Drivers believe there are a lack of charging points, but the case is they are hidden in plain sight. While fuel forecourts have the benefit of large totem poles, charge points can blend into the background.

“Changing to a green parking sign will help them stand out and reassure drivers who are thinking about buying an EV that there are more charge points than they think.”

The shift could also help reduce the number of ‘ICE-ing’ cases, where a petrol or diesel vehicle parks in an charging bay, blocking it from use.

“It may seem such a simple, low-key change but sometimes it’s all that’s needed to help make a big difference,” added Cousens.