Warwick District Councillors have approved the recommendation to seek a new operator for electric vehicle (EV) charging in the council's off-street car parks.

The decision was made at a recent cabinet meeting on 27 November.

The council agreed that the new operator will install and manage the new charging infrastructure in a joint agreement with Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

The council's updated corporate strategy places 'sustainability at the heart of its  decision' making and with 45 percent of carbon emissions coming from road transport,  the ability for car drivers within the district to switch to Electric Vehicles and for  WDC to contribute to the District's EV infrastructure is important.

In Leamington the charge points will include St Peters Car Park, Augusta Place and Chandos Street car park.

Currently charge points in Leamington include:

• Old Warwick Road,
• Tachbrook Park Drive
• ALDI
• St Mary's Road

Cllr Lowell Williams, Portfolio Holder for Decarbonisation said: "By commissioning this work jointly with Stratford DC, we will be able to offer the latest technology in EV charging for our residents and visitors who use our car parks.

"Our new EV chargers will be faster, accessible, more cost effective and result in a shorter dwell time at the charging point, which is great news for electric vehicle owners. 

"By getting the infrastructure right and maintaining the availability of EV charging points across the district, we will be encouraging more drivers to  change over to electric vehicles, which is positive for reducing emissions and improving air quality in the district."

The existing EV Charging infrastructure in the Council's car parks will be phased out in readiness for the start of the new operating contract.

There is likely to be a gap between the end of life of the existing chargers and the installation of the new EV charging infrastructure. Signage, website and social media will keep car park users updated with progress.

For more details on charge points in Warwick District, visit here.