Bristol to get 187 new electric car charging points

Hundreds of new electric vehicle charging stations will be built.

More than 300 charging points will be installed in car parks, train stations and residential streets in the South West, including 187 in Bristol.

The rollout will take until March 2026 and is expected to cost £4.9m, funded from the combined authority's green recovery fund.

Bristol City Council hopes it will encourage more to make the switch from petrol to electric.

Electric vehicles do not emit greenhouse gases and contribute far less to climate change.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, councillor Kye Dudd said: "The rollout will start in the summer and will focus on community charging hubs, destination charging at places like supermarkets, and on-street residential.

"The investment will mean more residents opt for electric vehicles."

In Bristol, the plans include 11 community charging points, 26 charging points in places like train stations, shopping centres, cinemas or hotels and 150 on-street residential charging points, either fitted to lampposts, or on the pavement where wide enough.

Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, added: "Electric vehicles will be part of the solution but we recognise there's also some downsides in an urban context, particulates and congestion for instance.

"We're supporting this but [are] very mindful of the needs of people with disabilities and the need to keep footways clear for people who are not able to work their way around.

"I've seen one or two examples on social media of where charging points have gone in, in a way that hasn't recognised the needs of people in wheelchairs.

"That won't be happening here."

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]