Almost 200 electric vehicle (EV) charging points are soon to be put in Wyre Forest's council-run car parks.

Wyre Forest District Council has granted Flowbird Smart City UK and Opcharge UK contracts to install chargers in 22 car parks.

Flowbird will pay the council a fee associated with the number and type of chargers established.

"We are delighted to be working with Flowbird and to be playing our part in supporting the transition to net zero carbon emissions," said Councillor Dan Morehead.

"This contract means that the network of charging points across the district will grow significantly, providing users of the council’s car parks with charging options while they work, shop, or visit.

"It will also help in making people more confident in switching to electric vehicles.

"We’re achieving this at no cost to the Council, with installation and maintenance the responsibility of Flowbird and Opcharge. The fees that Flowbird will pay make a contribution to growing commercial income, which is a target in our corporate plan.”

Flowbird’s EV director Joe Rowley expressed that they take pride in "revolutionising the user experience within communities, making charging effortless to promote wider adoption of electric vehicles."

This installation project forms part of the council’s Climate Action and Carbon Reduction Plan.

All the sites have already been examined and the installations are set to begin in April and be completed by the end of 2024.

The charging points will be listed on EV charging apps such as ZapMap, PlugShare, and Electromaps.

January 2024 government data said there were only 33 charging points in Wyre Forest despite an increasing number at other sites.

This significant addition should notably bolster the count of publicly-accessible charging points across the district.

Thomas Herbert, managing director of Opcharge UK said the installations offer "sustainable charging options for the constituents of Wyre Forest".