New electric vehicle charge points are being installed at 13 locations across Barking and Dagenham in a bid to encourage residents to switch to the greener form of transport.

The scheme is part of Source London, a capital-wide initiative which allows people to charge their electric automobiles at various sites including Dagenham Heathway, Longbridge Road, and Upney Lane.

The network plays a crucial role in encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles and contributing to the Mayor of London’s vision to improve the capital’s air quality.

The agreement between BluePoint London, which operates the charge points, and the council was signed in January 2017.

The installation has been at no cost to the council.

Vehicle emissions are a silent killer, so being able to offer cleaner, viable options that encourage more electric vehicles to be on the roads of our capital can only be a good thing

Councillor Lynda Rice, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene, said: “It is fantastic we are able to be part of the green revolution taking place in London.

“Electric cars might seem like something of the future, but they are growing in popularity and becoming increasingly more affordable.

“Vehicle emissions are a silent killer, so being able to offer cleaner, viable options that encourage more electric vehicles to be on the roads of our capital can only be a good thing.”

A further three charge points will be installed in the borough in spring 2018, with proposals for further sites to be rolled out later in the year.

Source London originally launched in 2011 as part of a Transport for London initiative before being taken over by Bolore Group, of which BluePoint London is a subsidiary.

Users must set-up an account to use the electrical facilities. For more information or to request further sites be added to the area, visit the Sourcelondon website