Proposals to invest £3million into encouraging people to take up electric vehicles have been formally backed by Wandsworth Council.

Councillors gave their backing last week to the plans which they hope could make major improvements in air qualities in the borough.

The money will be used to fund initiatives such as the establishment of a new e-car club in Wandsworth. This club will provide electric vehicles that are available for hire.

It will also cover the installation of charging plugs on 380 lampposts, with 149 to be placed in Putney and 231 in Battersea. If the results from the two pilot zones are successful, it could lead to the infrastructure being extended to other residential areas in the borough.

The money will also include the installation of a minimum of 227 EV charging lampposts, which will be offered to residents who have bought or are going to purchase an electric car. The scheme will provide an additional 120 Source London Car Charging parts, adding to the 99 already existing in the borough.

There are currently 408 electric vehicles registered in the borough, an increase from 125 vehicles registered at the end of 2015.

Wandsworth Council's deputy leader Jonathan Cook said: “It’s now undeniable that the future of motoring is electric. All the major car manufactures have signalled they’ll soon be phasing out diesel and petrol engines. This is an ambitious programme of change which has the potential to achieve a real improvement in air quality.”