THE first of an eventual 17 electric vehicle charging facilities to be available across West Somerset will be launched at an open day at the Rest and Be Thankful Inn in Wheddon Cross on Wednesday (April 24).

Organised by the EV2 Charge Community Project steering group in association with West Somerset environmental group Forum 21, the Rest And Be Thankful will host the first of six sites in phase one of a scheme to provide an EV2 charge rural network.

The locations are community-owned and another 11 have signed up to become operational in the near future, according to a steering group spokesman who added: “The project is hoped to stimulate interest from business and communities in addition to improving the local environment and encouraging tourism.”

The organisers said that the open day – from 11am to 3pm – would explain the community project and provide information on the latest electric vehicle and hybrid development.

Brotherhood, a Somerset-based wheelchair vehicle specialist, will be among companies demonstrating the latest technology, along with electric car owners who are already using their vehicles for everyday use.