PLANS to increase the number of public electric vehicle charge points in Dorset are now underway, with the first new unit being installed this month.

An expansion to the existing charging network in the Dorset Council region will see a combination of fast (22kW), rapid (50kW) and ultra-fast (150kW) charging units installed across the area – the latter allowing users to charge 100 miles in ten minutes.

Councillor Ray Bryan, member for highways, travel and environment, said: “By increasing the provision of electric vehicle charging points, we hope to provide the essential infrastructure needed to encourage more car owners in Dorset to choose electric vehicles over petrol and diesel equivalents.

“Travel is one of the biggest contributors to our county’s carbon footprint, so, as part of our response to the climate and ecological emergency, it’s vital we make the changes needed to help tackle this.”

New charging points are planned for locations including:

  • Streche Road car park, Wareham
  • West Street car park, Corfe Castle
  • Leigh Road car park, Wimborne Minster
  • Bonnets Lane (East) car park, Wareham
  • Culverhayes car park, Sherborne
  • Station Road car park, Sturminster Newton
  • Purbeck Park, Norden car park, Corfe Castle
  • Durlston Country Park, Swanage
  • High Street, Cranborne
  • Church Lane car park, Blandford Forum
  • Penny’s Lodge car park, Ferndown
  • Old Market Yard car park, Sherborne

Once this phase of installations is complete, Dorset Council will have more 80 charging units in its sponsored network, helping to keep Dorset in the top 20 per cent of charge point numbers in the country.

Visit zap-map.com to view the locations of all Dorset charge points.