A CHINEHAM-based company has teamed up with a retail property firm to install new electric charging points across the company’s portfolio of shopping centres.

Retail property company Dransfield Properties Ltd has announced plans to is working with Instavolt, of Chineham, which installs and maintains rapid electric vehicle charging units across the UK.

Lime Square in Openshaw, east Manchester, is the first of the company’s shopping centres to have the units installed with work starting earlier this month.

Marshall’s Yard in Gainsborough will follow with installation planned for later in the month and the company’s newest centre, Fox Valley in north Sheffield, will have the Instavolt units installed later in the year.

Tim Payne, chief executive officer of InstaVolt, said: “We’re installing thousands of rapid chargers across the UK and it’s great news that Lime Square, Marshalls Yard and Fox Valley are among these locations.

“As more and more people drive electric vehicles, having a network of places where they can charge up en route, such as shopping centres, will be incredibly important.”

The InstaVolt service is available to use on a pay as you go basis, with no subscription or membership required. Drivers tap their contactless credit or debit card, charge up and are back on the road in minutes.

Dransfield Properties development surveyor Dave Hale said: “We are always looking for ways to minimise our impact on the environment and helping to encourage the use of electric vehicles is a really big part of that.

“We know from the feedback we have already received from our customers that this is something that will definitely be welcomed at our centres and we’re delighted to be able to offer this rapid charging services to our shoppers.”