Funding for on-street charge points has been doubled to help end the ‘postcode lottery’ for the uptake of electric vehicles.

The funding for the installation of charge points will be doubled to £10m next year, providing 3,600 more charge points across the country.

The Government has also announced plans to publish real-time information on where people can charge their electric car and which charge points are currently being used.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘We want to make electric cars the new normal, and ensuring drivers have convenient places to charge is key to that.

‘By doubling funding again for charge points on streets where people live and opening up data we are helping drivers easily locate and use affordable, reliable charge points whether at home or on the road.’

Cllr David Renard, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, said: ‘The Government’s announcement will double funding for on-street residential charge points and is an important step forward.

For councils to do more to improve air quality and tackle climate change, the Government needs to also look at all aspects of transport, including demand management, and the role of public transport, cycling and walking.’