NANTWICH has been chosen as one of the first towns in the borough to have charging points for electric vehicles installed.

Cheshire East Council has secured government grant funding to provide electric vehicle recharging points for road users — and potentially the council’s fleet.

The number of electric vehicles in the UK has risen in the last two years from 3,500 in 2013 to 15,500 in 2014 — and the expectation is for that figure to keep growing.

Two 50kV rapid-charging units will be installed in Love Lane in Nantwich , with Congleton and Wilmslow the other towns chosen. These units can recharge a vehicle from empty up to 80 per cent charge in as little as 20 minutes. The sites have been chosen as they are close to destination points such as supermarkets and coffee shops, where drivers can pass 20 minutes or so while waiting for their vehicle to charge.

Council leader Michael Jones said: “This is good news for the environment and for encouraging modern, greener transport to flourish. It is about thinking and acting innovatively — and about putting residents first and tackling issues at their root. This project allows residents to take up new technology with assurance that they will be able to recharge when away from home if needed. It is also a step towards cleaner air in our borough.”

The council also secured funding for five 7kV fast-charge units. They have been installed at Macclesfield Town Hall, the council’s headquarters at Westfields, Sandbach and Delamere House, Crewe.