Parking spaces will be painted green so drivers can spot places to charge electric cars

CAR parking spaces will be painted green so that eco-drivers can easily spot places to charge their e-cars, under government proposals.

The new spaces will "improve visibility" for charging points but will be managed by local authorities, who will also be able to dish out fines to petrol cars parking in them.

It comes as the government hands £12million to help research new technology to encourage the switch to cleaner cars.

Among the developments, they hope tech firms can create batteries that could charge in just six minutes with the taxpayer cash – on “EV Day” the first ever world day to celebrate electric cars.

But as part of plans to encourage people to drive eco cars, the government will make sure charge points are installed at supermarkets and tourist sites as well as painting parking spaces green.

But driving groups blasted the plans which they say unfairly penalise the drivers of petrol and diesel cars.

Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign, said: “The demonisation of diesel & petrol has reached a new sour level.

“If you pay no road vehicle user tax, you can now have your own dedicated parking spot, served up in green by the council.

“This is not saving the planet, this is virtue signalling on a gargantuan scale with the world’s highest taxed motorists, as usual, picking up the tab.”

The demonisation of diesel & petrol has reached a new sour level.

Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign

A government source said the exact funding for the scheme had not yet been allocated, but they would be implemented by local authorities.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Whether you’re taking a trip with the family or commuting to work, with the wide range of models at competitive prices, it is now more cost-effective and convenient than ever to drive and charge an electric vehicle.

“This together with our continued support for R&D, will see talented UK-based SMEs flourish, as well as more than 6,000 skilled jobs created up and down the country.

“This is why, on the world’s first ever day dedicated to celebrating electric vehicles, I’m delighted to announce our unwavering support for a cleaner, greener transport future.”

A £9.3 million scheme has also been launched by Highways England that allows businesses to try electric vehicles for free before they buy.

Businesses will be offered a free trial of motors for two months after a successful launch with Leeds City Council earlier in the year.

Highways England Chief Executive, Jim O’Sullivan, said: “We are working with councils across the country to encourage businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles and we expect many more to start using electric vehicles when they experience the savings possible.

“This is a key example of how we are using designated funds to benefit the environment and communities around our roads as well as the people travelling and working on them.”

Business and Industry Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “From multi-million pound investments in electric vehicle charging points to consulting on ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, we’re making certain that the future of UK transport is green.

“World Electric Vehicle day is a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come as we make strides towards our world-beating net-zero climate target.”

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