The UK Government has announced a new £30m fund for more charging points for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The initiative, called Plugged-In Places, aims to help develop between three and six electric car cities and regions in the country.

Cities and businesses have been invited to bid for the money to help finance the installation of the charging points on streets, car parks and in commercial, retail and leisure facilities.

The funding is a new step in the government’s plans to become a global leader in electric car technology, for which it is also investing around £400m to boost the use of next-generation ultra-low carbon vehicles.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the government’s aim is for electric and low-carbon cars to be an everyday feature of life on the UK’s roads in less than five years.

“Plugged-In Places is one very significant step putting us firmly on the path to a low carbon future,” Adonis said.