DORSET is set to make big strides in attracting drivers of electric cars with the announcement that 15 rapid-charging points are to be installed.

Borough of Poole, Bourne-mouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council have jointly secured £723,000 from the Government to provide the fast-charge stations around the area.

The aim is to make long journeys in electric cars viable by removing the ‘range anxiety’ that is associated with most current models, which typically cannot travel more than around 100 miles before they need juice.

Rapid charging points can recharge an electric car in 40 minutes, compared to the four to eight hours needed to top-up using a standard home charger.

The funding will see four new points in Poole, three in Bournemouth and eight around the rest of Dorset.

Their locations have been chosen due to their proximity to the main north-south-east-west routes or to provide somewhere once drivers get to the coast.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for a prosperous and sustainable Poole, said: “This funding is great news, not only for those people who already use electric vehicles, but also for those residents and businesses who may be thinking about using them in the future.

“Especially as electric vehicles are not only a lot cheaper to run but also good for the environment too. We also look forward to welcoming visitors to the town, who will now have the reassurance that they can easily ‘top-up’ their electric vehicle before their return journey.”

Cllr Hilary Cox, cabinet member for environment at Dorset County Council, added: “This is a solution to the chicken and egg problem facing motorists, who want to drive low energy cars but worry about recharging them.”

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for transport for Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “We hope these new charging points encourage electric car owners to visit our vibrant tourist town now they know they have a place to charge their car, as well as promote the benefits of electric cars to our local residents.”

Work to install the rapid charging points will start in the spring and the project will be completed by the end of 2014.

Where the sites will be Where the rapid charging points will be:

  • New Orchard, Poole
  • Serpentine Road, Poole
  • Ashley Road, Poole
  • Poole Road, Westbourne
  • West Hill car park, Bournemouth
  • Bournemouth Travel Interchange, Bournemouth
  • Hawkwood Road main car park, Bournemouth
  • Christchurch
  • Wimborne Minster
  • Dorchester
  • Blandford Forum
  • Weymouth
  • Shaftesbury
  • Bridport
  • Lyme Regis
  • The exact locations of the rapid charging points in Dorset will be announced soon.