Somerset is set for a major expansion of its electric vehicle charging network after the council bagged nearly £3.8 million in government funding.

The cash comes from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund and will pay for at least 1,600 new on-street sockets across the county – many of them aimed at people without driveways.

With more than a quarter of homes in Somerset lacking off-street parking, the new lower-powered chargepoints (up to 7kW) are designed for overnight use and could make switching from petrol and diesel a real option for thousands more residents.

Somerset Council says it will be asking people to suggest locations for the chargers on its website once the rollout plan is finalised.

Cllr Richard Wilkins said: "By adopting this delivery approach, we can ensure that rural communities are not left behind in the transition to electric vehicle infrastructure. Without LEVI funding, the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in more rural, lower-demand, and commercially less viable areas of Somerset would be unlikely. We are committed to allocate 25% of all chargepoints to these locations, to help meet the needs of all residents."

The contract, which runs for 17 years, will also see the chosen operator install up to 20 rapid chargers of 50kW or more, with the council receiving an annual income to cover running costs.

Officials say using the existing street-lighting cable network where possible will cut down on disruption and keep installation costs down.

The council is now in the process of appointing a contractor, with work expected to get under way once the deal is signed.