THERE is good news for electric vehicle drivers in and around Warrington, as the council has announced free electric charging at its Time Square car park and Warrington West station.

The initiative, which has been confirmed for at least the next six months, will help to support those who are making the switch from petrol and diesel to electric.

There are currently 56 charging points at the Time Square car park – one of the highest number of charging points in a single location in the country – with another 12 charging points available at the new Warrington West station.

The move to offering free electric vehicle charging comes after the council’s climate emergency declaration in June.

The plans to encourage electric vehicle travel also support the council’s Air Quality Action Plan, which aims to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels within the main, busy traffic routes leading into and around the town.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, cabinet member for environment, who drives an electric car herself, said: “It’s great news that I’m able to announce free charging points for electric vehicle users here in Warrington. We’re committed to doing all we can to help people become more environmentally-friendly in and around the borough.

“What’s more, our solar farm investment in Hull, which will very soon be providing all of our electricity needs, will be powering the Time Square car park and Warrington West electric charging points.

"This is a really unique scheme – for a council to be providing its residents with electric charging points, which are powered by electricity generated from its own solar farm, is a pioneering initiative. It also means owning an electric vehicle will be even cheaper – alongside the clear environmental benefits of going electric.

“Our climate emergency declaration in June committed us to becoming carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030.

"Anything we can do to help our residents and visitors to also become greener and cleaner, and adopt more sustainable lifestyles, is equally important.

“This is a unique, special scheme and I hope it provides a welcome boost to those considering going electric or who have already made the jump.”