Nearly £500,000 is set to be invested in smart charging points for electric vehicles across Warwick district and Coventry.

The government and Ofgem has today (January 17) published its electric vehicle smart charging action plan to "seize on the significant potential" of smart charging and make it the "preferred method of long duration charging" by 2025.

It is expected high mileage motorists could save up to £1,000 a year through smarter charging.

The system allows motorists to charge electric vehicles when electricity is cheaper or cleaner, allow consumers to power their home using electricity stored in their electric vehicle, and even sell it back to the grid for profit. 

The government has today also announced £16million in funding from the net zero innovation portfolio (NZIP) for technologies that harness the potential of smart charging, including a smart street lamp post. 

Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart said: "We want to make smart charging an easier choice for drivers of electric vehicles, whether that is charging on the driveway, at the workplace, or parked on the street. 

"To do that we need to build new network infrastructure at pace, using the latest available technologies.

"Today's plan sets out how we will work with Ofgem and industry to kickstart the market for smart charging, which we are backing it up with £16m in innovation funding. 

"This will let people take control of their energy usage, in the most convenient and low-cost way."

Among those receiving funding through the V2X (Vehicle to Everything) innovation programme for prototype hardware, software and business models, are two local initiatives.

£219,334 will be given to a bidirectional charging system headed by Doublemsc Solutions Ltd and the University of Warwick.

And a further £234,075 will be given to a megawatt charging programme in Warwick, Leamington and the West Midlands.