New technology is aiming to speed up journeys for electric car drivers in three west London boroughs.

Thanks to government funding of £204,000, Westminster , Hounslow and Hammersmith and Fulham are set to benefit from a new generation of electric vehicle charging points.

The roll out will work by sharing information about charging points using parking sensors in electric vehicle bays to provide real-time data to motorists looking for a spot to recharge.

The parking app is designed to reduce time motorists drive by alerting drivers to an available electric car charging point.

A vehicle being charged at a streetlight retro-fitted with charging technology

Roads Minister Andrew Jones, said: "Technology is rapidly evolving and this important work shows that if we get it right, it can cut congestion, speed up journeys, clean up the environment, and improve accessibility."

The government has awarded £4m to fund tech projects in 19 councils in a bid to cut congestion, speed up journeys and clean up the environment.

Project ideas include use of apps and sensors using real time data to improve parking and journeys.

The funding comes as street lights have been adapted to double-up as charge points for electric vehicles in a trial being run by Kensington and Chelsea Council.

The local authority has teamed up with UK Power Networks, and Ubitricity to convert three street lights in Kensington into EV charge points.

In outer London, 33% of households have no access to off-street parking to charge an EV, and in inner London this rises to 46%.

The installation, on Onslow Gardens , allows two residents to charge their vehicles from a street light near their front door.

Cllr Tim Coleridge, head of highways at the council, said: “A growing number of residents have made enquiries about the availability of electric vehicle charging points here in Kensington and Chelsea .

“The use of street lights as charging points provides electric vehicle owners and users charging opportunities closer to where they live and work. If this trial is successful we will look at exploring other opportunities for using street lights in this way.”

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