ELECTRICALLY powered motorists will have to pay to charge their vehicles from next month.

Electric vehicle charging points in car parks across the Test Valley are to charge customers following the end of an introductory free period.

From Monday, October 5 almost a year of free energy will end.

Information stickers have been put on the machines to tell customers about the upcoming changes.

Currently, there are 18 fast charging points in the borough’s car parks in Andover and Romsey, each capable of supplying 22kW of charge.

Motorists will have to pay via a new phone app provided by Grønn Kontakt (GK).

They will also be able to pay via the GK website and paying by debit or credit card.

Planning and transport portfolio holder, councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “While it’s been fantastic to be able to offer free energy for those driving environmentally-friendly electric vehicles, sadly this introductory period wasn’t sustainable forever.

“Providing these charge points in locations across Test Valley is something that was extremely important for us. With more electric vehicles on the roads today than ever before, the new system is quick, easy and we hope will encourage drivers to know that the infrastructure is there in our borough. As we all face the impact of climate change, these charging points are a small step, but a very important one.”

The existing rapid charger at Romsey Rapids car park already charges for use and is therefore not affected by these changes. All of the charge points are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.