NEW electric vehicle charging points have been installed in a Dorset community as part of a council scheme - with more planned.

The new chargers, located in the Kettle Bridge car park at Cerne Abbas are set to go live in the coming weeks and have been installed as part of Dorset Council's Charging Ahead programme.  

In east Dorset, new charging points have also been installed at Park Way car park in West Moors.

The initiative aims to get 80 per cent of Dorset households within a 10-minute walk of a public charge point by 2030.

By the end of the year, an additional 11 car parks in towns and villages across the county will be equipped with EV chargers, thanks to the programme.

This includes the installation of three new charging hubs in Weymouth, Blandford and Bridport.

Funding for the new chargers comes from a mix of sources, including government grants, private investment and local developer contributions.

Earlier this year, the UK registered its millionth fully electric vehicle (EV), and by 2030 it is projected that nearly a third of all vehicles on UK roads will be electric.

To help prepare for this transition, the council has partnered with award-winning EV charging company Mer to expand the availability of chargers for residents and visitors.

Cllr Nick Ireland, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for climate change, said: “The Charging Ahead programme is crucial in our efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change in Dorset.

“By expanding the network of electric vehicle chargers across the county, we can make it easier for residents to transition to electric vehicles. This shift will help improve air quality and create a healthier environment for everyone.

“However, it’s critical that our rural communities don’t get left behind in this transition to sustainable energy, so I’m thrilled to see charge points being installed in our villages as well as our towns.”

The installation of the new chargers will not impact the use of the car parks or nearby businesses.

Once complete, the addition of these fast and rapid chargers will bring the total number of public charging points in the county to just under 300.

The council is working closely with local communities, landowners and businesses to identify the best locations for new charge points.

 The new Dorset Council-sponsored chargers will be located in:

  • Cerne Abbas
  • Weymouth
  • Dorchester
  • Bridport
  • Lyme Regis 
  • Wareham
  • Blandford
  • Sherborne
  • Sturminster Newton
  • West Moors