THE government’s push for drivers to switch to fully electric or plug-in hybrid cars is being helped in Haslemere by South Western Railway (SWR), which has selected the town station as one of six across the network to install 60 new electric vehicle charging points.

Haslemere station will get eight charging points by this autumn as part of SWR’s £100,000 investment.

The 13-amp trickle charge units will initially be free to use.

The charging points are designed for the current generation of electric vehicles but are capable of handling higher electrical currents in the future if required.

Each one will be a designated parking space.

Amelia Woodley, SWR head of sustainability, said: “We’re committed to making travelling by rail sustainable. This investment in new charging points will make a positive contribution to reducing carbon emissions and improving overall air quality.”

The increase is good news for existing drivers or those keen to make the switch locally.

It was revealed in April that Waverley Borough Council had the second fewest charging locations per 1,000 electric vehicles of all UK local authorities, with just five electric car charging points serving 571 licensed fully electric or plug-in hybrid cars, LGVs and quadricycles.

* Members of Haslemere Rail Community Partnership joined other groups across the network at a special event at Waterloo last week, at which the volunteers were congratulated by Rail Minister Andrew Jones for the good work they do.