Plans to install more on-street charging points for electric vehicles across the county will be investigated by Worcestershire County Council has agreed to explore the idea of investing in more charging facilities on the county’s roads to allow more people to make the switch from petrol to electric.

Worcester currently has 20 public electric vehicle charging points to serve its population which is below the UK average of around 30 per 100,000 people.

Cllr Lynn Denham, who made a call on behalf of Labour and Lib Dem councillors, said the number of electric vehicles licensed in Worcester had trebled in the last two years but many were put off by the lack of charging facilities – particularly those that did not own a garage or driveway or lived in a flat.

She said the council now had an “opportunity to take the lead on practical change” and look at encouraging more people to buy electric vehicles by providing more charging facilities.

“More electric vehicles on our roads means less carbon and better air quality,” she said. “At our last meeting we declared a climate emergency and that means we want to take action. Air pollution is a serious health risk.”

Cllr Alan Amos, cabinet member for highways, said the council “actively supported” the installation of electric vehicle charging points across the county, but on-street facilities came with several issues – especially in areas with a lack of off-street parking.