Plug in and go green

11.51.52am GMT Wed 3rd Sep 2008

• LOCAL drivers wanting to minimise their carbon footprint are being encouraged to stop using gas guzzling vehicles and start using electric cars, thanks to the launch of the largest electric vehicle recharging zone in the country.

The scheme, which is the first joint-borough service of its kind in the country, will enable drivers to recharge their electric vehicles at any recharging point in the ten boroughs that form the South and West London Transport Conference Partnership (SWELTRAC). The first nine posts have been installed in car parks in; Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham, Sutton and Wandsworth, with plans for more points to follow across the whole region. At the launch event in Richmond upon Thames, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to test drive a number of electric cars. Following the launch, drivers will be able to plug-in and go after paying a small annual administration fee of £100. Normal parking fees apply. The posts, which cost a total of £3,300 each, have been installed thanks to funding from Transport for London, the Energy Saving Trust and EDF Energy. The scheme is part of Richmond Council's drive to cut down on harmful emissions.

Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Transport and Traffic, said: "We hope that these charging posts will encourage people to switch to electric vehicles and take up environmentally friendly travel. With fuel prices rising and "green" electric motor technology improving, we hope that drivers will consider investing in electric vehicles as a way to save money as well as reducing their impact on the environment".