Switch from gas to lekky, says East Ren

The council will use £78,000 funding released by the Scottish Government and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to urge drivers to use low emission cars.

The government is suggesting that every 35 miles there should be a rapid charge site located close to the strategic trunk road network.

The funding is expected to provide one strategic site with a triple charger, one local medium charger and three fast charger sites, of which two have to be in car parks covered by CCTV.

A council statement said: “Initially, there will be no charge to residents and members of the public who use these facilities, which are still in the process of being identified.

“There will be a three year warranty on the equipment but thereafter maintenance will be the council’s responsibility.”

Although early models of electric vehicles only had an expected range of 100 miles, the authority wants to reassure reticent buyers that recent models are coming on to the market with improved battery technology and an expected range of 250 miles plus.

ERC’s sustainable growth convenor Tony Buchanan said:”I welcome this offer of funding and I hope many residents will take advantage of the facilities that will be provided.

“This will hopefully help to give local people confidence that electric vehicles can be a sustainable travel option for the future.”