Electric vehicle charging points could be introduced in South Bucks car parks as part of national plans to tackle pollution.

South Bucks District Council (SBDC) hopes the move will promote sustainable transport and increase the use of the car parks by a wider range of people.

However drivers charging their vehicles will have to pay the car park tariff – despite local authorities initially offering free parking to electric vehicle owners who were using the charging points.

By the end of 2017 there were more than 47,000 electric vehicles registered in the UK, and with the figure set to rise SBDC says it is “difficult” for local authorities to continue to offer free parking.

A report presented to a policy advisory group last week states: “The government is urging local authorities to provide electric vehicle charging points to promote sustainable transport and help reduce carbon emissions and tackle air quality.

“By the end of 2017 more than 47,000 electric vehicles had been registered in the UK and the electric vehicle market as of September 2018 makes up 2.4 per cent of all new cars sold.

“The government’s aim is that electric vehicles will account for 100% of all new car and van sales by 2040.

“For SBDC this means that expectations regarding parking will change and customers will require electric vehicle charging facilities.”

The charging points will be introduced in car parks where "evidence supports the requirement".

The news comes after Bucks County Council pledged to provide charging points on the roadside for residents who are unable to install them at home.

Marlow was one of the first towns in South Bucks to get the charging points – after they were installed earlier this year in a bid to get people to ditch diesel vehicles.

The plans will be presented to SBDC’s cabinet, and if they are approved a consultation will then be carried out.