AS Government bosses pledge to double the amount of funding available to local authorities to install electric car charging points, Southend Council has outlined its plan to create more than 200 new points to the town.

The authority has secured cash for the installation of 87 new charging points over the next six months, which will increase the total from 14 to 101 by March 2020.

That number could later double if the council is successful in a bid for Government funds that will allow for up to 100 charge points to be built into lamp-posts for on-street charging.

Carole Mulroney, Southend’s cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “There are currently 239 plug-in electric vehicles registered in Southend of which most will charge at home using their off-street car parking facilities.

“However, Southend has a larger than average proportion of households that do not have access to off-street parking and that’s why we are seeking to target these households with public infrastructure.”

Mrs Mulroney added the council is also exploring the idea of a “charging hub” which would include several bookable charge points situated close to the town centre which would allow drivers to “charge their vehicle while visiting the shops and facilities in the town centre”.

Taxi firms will also benefit from dedicated charge points part-funded through a grant from the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

The number and location of these points will be decided following discussions with local taxi firms.

The details have come after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Monday that the Government would double the amount of funding available to local authorities for the installation of electric car infrastructure close to people’s homes.

He said: “It is vital that electric vehicle drivers feel confident about the availability of charge points near their homes, and that charging an electric car is seen as easy as plugging in a smartphone.”

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East recently pledged to swap his diesel car for an electric car after taking part in a week-long challenge which involved driving the electric Jaguar I-Pace from Southend to the Houses of Parliament each day.

He also tested the various ways of charging the vehicle, including at home, at work and using public charging points.

Following the challenge, Mr Duddridge said: “At first I was sceptical; would there be enough charging points, or would I find myself stranded on the side of the A127 having run out of battery?

“Actually, after getting used to the quieter engine, I was pleasantly surprised by the range you could get from a single charge and how much it felt it like driving a ‘normal’ vehicle.

“Like many people, I am conscious about doing my bit to protect the environment and with electric cars now available to suit a range of budgets, for my part, I will be making the switch when the time comes for me to invest in a new car.”

For more information on converting to electric in Southend, go to southend.gov.uk and search for ‘Electric Vehicles and Charging Posts’.