A NEW charging point for electric vehicles has been unveiled in Andover.

The town’s rapid electric vehicle charge point is now open at the Texaco Service Station, in Charlton Road.

It is one of five new facilities that have been installed by Hampshire County Council at sites across the county, with further points now in place in Romsey, Ringwood, Fareham and Farnborough.

The rollout by the authority’s environment bosses has been undertaken as part of a partnership with Scottish Southern Energy, funded by Government grants.

The charging points, which can fully charge electric vehicles in just 30 minutes, have three different types of connectors allowing a full range of vehicles to access them.

Hampshire County Council’s environment and transport boss, Cllr Sean Woodward, said: “These charge-points improve support for those already driving electric vehicles and will hopefully encourage greater local take-up of such vehicles in the future.

“This is a part of the contribution we want to make to reducing Hampshire’s carbon footprint and cutting vehicle emissions.

“The aim is to develop transport infrastructure that meets future demand and encourages more people to use electric vehicles, by providing easier and quicker access to charging their electric vehicles and this is a good starting point.”