The Rutland Electric Car Project will have its first four points running by the end of this month, with Larkfleet Homes installing one at its showhome in Okaham, and three more located at the Falcon Hotel in Uppingham, Greetham Valley Hotel and Golf Club and Barnsdale Lodge Hotel – offering region-wide coverage.

Installations are being funded by a 40% government grant, and managed by Cenex and the East Midlands Plugged-in Places Scheme. Drivers will be offered free electric vehicle charging until March 2013.

Phase two will install further charging points in the town centres of Uppingham and Oakham by the end of 2012, following a 60% government grant. Locations are being agreed with Rutland County Council over the coming weeks, and access to these will also be free until March 2013.

The final phase will broaden the network to include pubs and visitor destinations, to be decided later in the year. Uppingham First secretary Ron Simpson said several had already expressed interest in the project.