THERE is a ‘dangerous’ lack of charging points for electric vehicles, a safety charity has warned.

The number of electric vehicles in Reading has more than doubled in the past two years, going from 88 at the end of 2016, to 223 at the end of 2018.

But this growth is ‘drastically outpacing’ the number of charging points, according to Electrical Safety First, a consumer protection charity.

The charity, which surveyed 1,500 electric vehicle owners in the UK, said the lack of charging points is pushing drivers into charging their cars via unsafe methods.

These include using domestic multi-socket extension leads, which aren’t suitable for using outdoors. Also, plugging several extension leads together, to cover a further distance, increases the risk of electric shock and fire.

Martyn Allen, technical director at Electrical Safety First, said: “Our research shows a direct link between a lack of electric vehicle infrastructure and vehicle owners charging dangerously, and with so few public charging locations in the south east, this is a real concern.

“Electrical Safety First is urging the government and local authorities to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to support the rapid increase in numbers of electric vehicles on our roads.”

By 2035 at the latest, all new cars and vans should be electric, according to the Committee on Climate Change which advises the government.

The committee’s May 2 report said charging infrastructure must be strengthened, as electric vehicles are key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving air quality.

Reading has the fewest electric vehicles out of all the six local authorities in Berkshire, with only 223. Slough has the most, at 7,101.