A total of 18 new electric vehicle charging points are being installed across Test Valley this month as Test Valley Borough Council brings support for the growing number of electric vehicles on the roads.

The charging points will be operated by Vattenfall on the InCharge network, with renewable electricity supplied by Vattenfall’s UK wind farms

Being installed at eight new locations covering car parks in Andover and Romsey, the 22kW charge points are being funded by a grant from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Swedish utility company Vattenfall, and delivered by the council’s partner for this project, Joju Charging.

The new points will be installed at the Chantry Centre, Shepherds Spring Lane, George Yard, South Street and Borden Gates car parks in Andover. In Romsey, they will be put in place at Alma Road, Lortemore Place and Princes Road.

The charging points will be operated by Vattenfall on the InCharge network, with renewable electricity supplied by Vattenfall’s UK wind farms.

The new charge points join existing chargers across the borough – including a rapid charger at Romsey Rapids – and come as the council prepares to declare a climate emergency next month.

Planning and transport portfolio holder, councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “We have to make sure we are not just keeping up with change, but trying our best to stay one step ahead. There is a growing number of electric vehicles driving in our borough and there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to top up their charges at a number of our car parks.

“We are taking the proposition of a climate change emergency extremely seriously so I’m pleased that this is a step we have been able to take.”