An investigation into installing at least seven electric vehicle charging points in residential areas where no off-street charging is currently available is to be carried out by South Lakeland District Council.

The council applied for and was granted £187,640 to fund an 18-month-long community-focussed research project to identify charging sites and its cabinet agreed to look into the feasibility of installing points across the area.

Cllr Dyan Jones, portfolio holder for climate emergency and localism, said that the project had the potential to address the climate emergency, encourage sustainable development, improve air quality and improve public health.

"It’s clear from climate conversations held over the summer that there is a growing interest in electric vehicles and council has been actively engaged and anticipates further working with partners to provide greater access to electric vehicle charging points across South Lakeland," she said.

"Doing it this way empowers communities in an effective, efficient and collaborative way, targeting best locations with decisions based on evidence-led behaviour.

"Feasibility studies into several specific charging points installed across South Lakeland would then lead to further identifying the potential for more points."

A report before the meeting said the project had the potential to increase the take-up of electric vehicles, progressively address the causes and impacts of climate change and encourage residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and save money on fuel costs, as well as reduce pollution emissions from combustion engines.