BRADFORD’S new public charge point for electric cars has gone live.

The ‘rapid charger’ was installed by Bradford Council at its Exchange Court car park in the summer and will be available for use from today.

It has a choice of three plugs, for use in all types of electric car, with a £5 charging fee which includes free parking.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, whose portfolio includes environmental matters, said: “It will assist in reducing Bradford district’s carbon footprint and improving air quality.”

The piece of kit cost £30,000 and has been funded by a grant from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It is a replacement for a charge point at Jacobs Well, which began as a public facility but was later commandeered by Bradford Council solely for its electric fleet, to the disappointment of some motorists. There are already public charge points at Baildon and Keighley, and the Council is looking for funding to install more in other areas of the district.