TWO new electric vehicle car charging points are set to be installed in west Dorset.

From February next year, owners of electric cars and vans will be able to charge their vehicles at charge points in West Bay and Lyme Regis.

Dorset Council has announced there will be 44 new electric vehicle chargepoints across 18 council-owned car parks as part of its pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2040.

The charging points will be located in West Bay Road car back and Holmbush car park. They will be 22kw chargers and will use 100 per cent renewable energy supplied by Statkraft, a hydropower company.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "Providing drivers with more chargepoints for their electric vehicles is an exciting step towards our commitment to becoming carbon-neutral.

"It also helps make life easier for motorists who are seeking more environmentally friendly methods of travel.

"With government plans to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and more people seeking to go electric, now is the time to offer Dorset's residents, businesses and visitors sustainable travel options."

The work is due to begin in January when SSE and Western Power Distribution will begin with the installation of new electrical connections.

The charge points are well suited to town centre car parks and are designed with drivers who want a quick 'top up' in mind - however, vehicles can be fully charged at the points which will take somewhere between two and four hours.

The installation and management costs of the chargepoints will be met by Joju Charging, an energy service provider, and their funding partners Gronn Kontakt, owned by Statkraft. In return, Dorset Council will receive a profit share generated by each charge point for the next 15 years.

Cllr Bryan added: "Dorset Council has a key leadership role to play in tackling climate change and dealing with its consequences, but we do need private sector investment to help us achieve this.

"Therefore, I am pleased we are working closely with Joju Charging and Gronn Kontakt to drive forward the use of electric vehicles in Dorset."