WORCESTERSHIRE is leading the way in The Midlands for electric vehicles.
Latest figures show, with regard to the number of charging points being installed and some 723 registered electric vehicles in the county, Worcestershire is only second to Birmingham.
This comes after a renewed commitment by Worcestershire County Council to make the area more sustainable in response to Tuesday’s announcement by the Government that diesel and petrol cars will be banned from the UK by 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution.
Electric vehicles do not produce exhaust emissions so do not contribute to the problem.
The county council is working in partnership with Worcestershire Regulatory Services to develop and manage the Worcestershire Air Quality Action Plan.
There is also a commitment to promoting the electrification of buses and taxis. These vehicles use some of the busiest routes and are thought to be responsible for some of the worst air quality levels are in city and town centres.
The council is encouraging people to walk and cycle where possible to help improve public health and reduce air pollution.
Coun Tony Miller, the county council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said: “We’ve currently got 12 rapid charge points across the county and three electric vehicles, but there’s always more that can be done.
“Working with partners, the county council continues to push for more and more electric charge points to be installed to make Worcestershire as electric-vehicle friendly as possible.”
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