A £4.6MILLION scheme to install 150 electric car charging points across Lancashire has been announced.

The aim of the Lancashire County Council scheme is to encourage the use of battery-powered vehicles,

The final details are being being worked out for a five-year contract providing top up stations with ‘rapid chargers’ at sites in Burnley, Accrington, Clitheroe, Rawtenstall, Nelson and Chorley.

They will go live in March next year under a deal with the selected provider.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is committed to new charging stations in the future and is watching the progress of the County Hall tendering process carefully.

Daniel Herbert, highways network manager for the county council, said: “The authority has received funding from the Department for Transport to establish a network of charging points to ensure owners of electric cars can find somewhere convenient to charge their battery wherever they go within Lancashire.

“The scheme aims to increase take-up of electric vehicles by ensuring owners can always find somewhere to recharge locally.

“The contract will be tendered in the next few weeks with the intention work will begin in July, and we’ll have a network of 150 charging points in place by March 2018.

“We don’t know exactly where they will be however they will need to be places where people find it convenient to park while going about their daily business.

“There will be a mix of rapid chargers and dual fast chargers.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council highways boss, said: “We believe charging points for electric vehicles are part of a modern borough and are committed to the project.

“We are watching the county scheme with interest.”