WINCHESTER civic chiefs are looking at ways of increasing the provision of charging for electric vehicles.

A meeting heard that there is an evolution in the provision of public EV charging points.

Initially the focus was on streetlight charging outside homes which is very slow but now the move is to see fewer but faster EV charging, said Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet member for the climate emergency.

Planning permission was given last December for a high-speed EV charging station on the A272 at Three Maids Hill near Littleton.

Cllr Mark Reach told the scrutiny committee that charging his car at home costs 9p per kilowatt-hour cheaper than most on-street charging which is around 30p Kw/hour, but both much cheaper than commercial operators who charge £1 Kw/hour for a fast charge. Mr Reach said that was considerably more expensive than petrol or diesel.

Cllr Learney said the council wanted to promote a competitive market which would drive down costs for EV drivers.

"Charging at home is very cheap but it is not available to the majority of people living in the town centre," she said.

Cllr Neil Cutler said  home charging was not available to 30 per cent of drivers.