More than 700 new electric charging points on lamp posts are set to be installed across the borough, Wandsworth Council has announced.

Councillors and members of the community services scrutiny committee approved the plans on February 20 in a bid to improve the borough’s air quality.

At least 350 electric vehicle charging lampposts will be on Wandsworth’s streets as a result – offered on request to residents who own, or are about to own, a new electric car – with the aim to make switching to electric easier.

Councillor Jonathan Cook, the council’s transport and environment spokesman, said: “Our aim is to improve air quality and help shift our residents’ preferred mode of transport to environmentally-friendly options.

“We know that we need to play our part by removing barriers to choosing cleaner travel. That’s why we want people buying an electric vehicle to be able to charge it, and those wanting to hire a car to be able to choose electric.”

Charing plugs will also be installed into every ‘suitable’ lamppost within two pilot zones, which is around 150 in the Thamesfield ward area near to Putney High Street, and approximately 240 in the Shaftesbury ward in Battersea.

Wandsworth Council believes results from trial schemes of the Ultra Low Emission Zone’s (ULEZ) extension could see lamppost changing increase to other residential areas.

Mr Cook added: “We will continue to work to improve air quality by this and other measures, including lobbying for cleaner buses, encouraging cycling by implementing our cycling strategy, working with the construction industry and putting in measures to improve traffic flow on our busy streets.

“We have recently seen great improvements in air quality in Putney and Nine Elms so we’re confident we’re on the right track.

“Last night’s (February 21) decision is another step in the right direction.”