OWNERS of electric cars in Ilkley should soon have more places to charge their cars in the town.

Booths Superstore in Leeds Road, Ilkley has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council for the installation of four rapid electric vehicle charging stations with the car park.

If given the green light it will mean four existing parking spaces becoming EV charging bays, along with associated equipment.

A spokesperson for Booths said: “Responsible business practices are integral to Booths and we’re constantly striving to be a more sustainable retailer.

“Booths are aware there are a growing number of our customers who are using electric cars and the area is not currently well served in terms of charge points. Booths want to offer a convenient service for our customers to charge their cars whilst they shop.

“Booths hope to roll out electric car charge points in 26 stores in 2019.”

The application from Booths comes after it was revealed West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured £2 million of Government funding for new electric vehicle rapid charging points to be installed, including 20 in the Bradford district. The installation of the free charging points, including exclusive taxi bays, will start next year.

Every point will a vehicle a full charge in less than half an hour, and they will be free to use until October 2021. Bradford Council are providing £1.2 million of funding for the project, in an bid to make our air less polluted.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for transport, said: “As part of our Low Emissions Strategy, we want to encourage residents and businesses in Bradford to consider switching to electric vehicles,

“One of the best ways to do this is to make it convenient and free for people to access charging points.

“We hope that the additional charging points will make Bradford drivers think about making their next car an electric one.”

Last month Ilkley’s MP John Grogan,confirmed that a charging point for electric cars is to be installed at Hawksworth Street Car Park in Ilkley as part of the project which will see 88 rapid charging points installed in West Yorkshire before March 2020.

Mr Grogan said: “I understand the charging point in Hawksworth Street Car Park in Ilkley is likely to be in the first phase of delivery after a contractor is appointed. This will mean that Ilkley residents with electric cars will no longer have to rely on the charging point at the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey, which since the closure of the Rombalds Hotel has been the nearest available.”