Twelve new electric car charging points were launched in Brighton and Hove today, Tuesday, December 20.
The Polar network is switched on in Brighton and Hove providing the first new non-council-run charging points.
The 12 points will be at NCP car parks in Brighton as part of the first phase of the roll-out of the Polar scheme across the south coast.
The launch has been hailed as an “endorsement” of the city’s green credentials.
Councillor Ian Davey, cabinet member for transport and the public realm, said: “I’m delighted to see the Polar scheme expanding to Brighton and Hove, supporting the work the council has already done on infrastructure here.
"It’s an endorsement of the city’s trend towards choosing sustainable transport and improved air quality.”
Brighton and Hove City Council has already installed eight on-street charging points at Bartholomews, Madeira Drive, The Level, and Withdean Stadium.
But these, operated by Chargemaster, are the first privately run points to be introduced into the city.
Drivers can access the network through a £19.50 a month subscription and will pay 95p each time a unit is used.
Council leader Bill Randall will open the bays at Church Street car park and be presented with an electric vehicle (EV) ready certificate, announcing the city’s access to charging points.
Eastbourne and Worthing already have charging points. Chargemaster said the new Brighton bays will mean drivers can go for longer distances without worrying their cars will run down.
The company said by 2020 it expects one in every ten cars in the UK will be an EV.
David Martell, chief executive of Chargemaster, said: “It is great that towns like Brighton are keen to promote technologies that allow drivers to take advantage of low-carbon motoring."
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