CHARGING points for electric cars are not appearing on Herefordshire streets because drivers want the parking spaces instead.

The government has set up a fund to help pay for more charging points as part of its strategy of encouraging drivers to 'go green' to cut air pollution and combat climate change.

But only 28 councils have applied, and Herefordshire is not one.

It says surveys found local communities were against the idea because the charging stations would reduce on-street parking.

However, the council may demand that new developments contain charging points as standard.

Environmentalists and transport groups say lack of charge points is one reason why the switch to electric or hybrid cars is not going faster.

According to research by the BBC data unit, there are 409 electric cars in Herefordshire, up from 19 in 2013.

There are 26 charge points, on average just over three miles apart, including 11 installed in council car parks in 2013/14.

A council spokesperson said: “We have explored the on-street residential chargepoint scheme with a view to submitting an application.

"As this would require a reduction in generic on-street parking spaces to create dedicated spaces for electric vehicles, there was little support from local communities.

"We are very keen to hear from any communities who are interested in exploring this opportunity.

"As part of our forthcoming Parking Design Guide consultation, we will be proposing that new developments require electric vehicle charge points as standard."

The government wants to “lead the world in zero emission vehicle technology.”

Last year, some 46,000 electric vehicles were registered for the first time.

The Department for Transport says 80% of current electric vehicle charging happens at home.

Apart from shortage of charging points, other obstacles to the growth of electric cars include: A lack of standardisation with charging points; finding locations; occupied stations; slow charging times.