Work on creating a thousand EV charging points in Gloucestershire over the next three years is progressing well, says Shire Hall, with the first 100 now installed.

By the end of March, nearly 130 chargepoints will be in place – a number which the council hopes will act as a springboard to step up the rollout in the financial year 2024/25.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: "It's great news that our rollout is progressing well. This work will continue thanks to £3.629m funding from the Department for Transport."

More locations are being identified around the county, he added, providing accessible facilities for residents who do not have off-street parking.

"This will make it easier for people to switch to EVs, helping to create a greener Gloucestershire, as they reduce emissions and noise pollution and improve air quality."

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, which is installing the infrastructure, added: "Making EV charging easily available to everyone is essential to Gloucestershire – and the whole UK – meeting its climate change goals."

Supporting EV drivers without driveways with "reliable, affordable, and convenient public charging infrastructure that can last a generation" was crucial, he said: "We're thrilled to be involved in this project and believe it will deliver tangible benefits for Gloucestershire residents for years to come."

Anthony Browne, Technology and Decarbonisation Minister said: "This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so."

More than 30 sites were initially chosen to be part of the first phase of the rollout after residents were invited to give their feedback - but as Punchline-Gloucester.com reported last August, the entirety of Stroud District Council's area was missed off the map. Two sites in Stroud and Nailsworth, along with further locations, have subsequently been added.

A spokesperson said: "The council made it a high priority to find sites in the Stroud district after some locations were dropped following feedback. As a result chargepoints have been installed in Bowbridge Lane, Stroud, and Nortonwood, Nailsworth."

To ensure value for money, two twin chargepoints have been installed in many locations, so four EVs can simultaneously be charged (although simultaneous charging can reduce optimum speeds accordingly).

In areas with the greatest parking pressures, only two bays for EVs are being marked out initially, says the council, before there is demand to fill four bays.

● By the council's own calculation, one third of homes in Gloucestershire lack the ability to charge an EV on a driveway, which is why the council and government are prioritising chargepoints in locations where off-street parking is not available. A full list of Gloucestershire's initial spread of chargepoint locations can be found here .