A CITY-WIDE network of vehicle charging points is to be created across York to encourage motorists to use electric cars and help tackle air pollution.

City of York Council is receiving £816,000 from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles after becoming the only Yorkshire city out of eight in the country to be awarded ‘Go Ultra Low’ city status.

The council says the money will fund a city wide network of hubs, providing state-of-the-art, ultra fast, reliable and convenient rapid electrical charging for key vehicle groups such as taxis, private motorists and business users.

Transport executive member Ian Gillies said the grant would help to grow York's existing network in strategic locations, and there were already more than 60 hybrid/electric taxis operating in the city thanks to the council’s low emission taxi incentive scheme – a UK first.

"This funding will help to give residents and businesses in York even more travel options over the coming years and I hope we can work together as a city to help make York a cleaner and more enjoyable city to live and work in.”

Cllr Andrew Waller, executive member for environment, said the funding would provide practical steps to reduce emissions and claimed it would help to support York’s growing status as one of the cities at the forefront of supporting sustainable transport in the UK.

Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, said she wax excited to see innovative ideas put forward by York become reality over coming months.

“This funding by government, combined with local investment, will transform the roads for residents in and around the region,” she said.

“With thousands more plug-in cars set to be sold locally, cutting running costs for motorists and helping the environment, this investment will help York gain recognition as one of the most sustainable transport cities in Europe.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said York and the other city's 'exciting, innovative' ideas would encourage drivers to choose an electric car.

“I want to see thousands more greener vehicles on our roads and I am proud to back this ambition with £40 million to help the UK become international pioneers of emission cutting technology.

The news comes after York recently secured £308,000 from the Government's Clean Bus Technology Fund to retrofit 28 school buses with the latest Selective Catalytic Reuptake exhaust technology.