Motorists behind the wheel of an electric vehicle will soon have 18 more bays to charge up in a town centre.

Maidstone Borough Council is installing charging bays at six of its town centre car parks.

Two bays are already in place at Union Street car park.

They are free to use, with drivers only needing to pay a parking fee.

The remaining 16 bays will be installed at:

• King Street Car Park
• Medway Street Car Park
• Mote Road Car Park
• Barker Road Car Park
• Wheeler Street Car Park

MBC chair of Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee, Cllr David Burton said: "With the number of motorists using electric vehicles rising daily the need for Electric Vehicle charging bays has increased in line with that.

"These bays will help support the work MBC Parking Services has been carrying out on monitoring and reducing harmful emissions across the town centre, will encourage the adoption of Electric Vehicles and help our Air Quality Action Plan.

"The 18 bays will provide clear data on usage allowing MBC to expand the scheme in the future and monitor the medium-term impact EVs have on air quality using Parking Services’ portable air quality monitors.”

All chargers are 7kWh and will allow Maidstone’s motorists to recharge while they’re shopping or visiting the town.

Customers will need to pay for their parking via the ‘POD Point’ smartphone app.

Read more: All the latest news from around Maidstone.