THE leader of Worcester’s Green Party has called for more investment in electric car charging points after the city's council was named sixth worst for ultra-low emission vehicle adoption in the region.

Based on Department of Transport data, insurance comparison website Go Compare has found Worcester has 160 green vehicles.

Going by total number of ULEVs, this puts the city 25th in the West Midlands and 294th in the UK.

With 24.7 green vehicles per 10,000 vehicles, Worcester ranks 17th in the West Midlands and 252nd in the UK.

Worcester ranks 351st in the UK and 27th – or fourth worst – for growth in ULEVs between 2015 and 2018 with a score of 2.2.

City councillor Louis Stephen said: “These figures are disappointing. Worcester has several areas where the air quality is above or very close to the safe limits as set by the EU.

“We need far more investment in public charging points in the city car parks as well as the possibility of on street charging so Worcester residents without off street parking can charge their electric car.”

Wychavon and Malvern Hills both sit in the top 10 for number of ULEVs per 10,000 vehicles in the West Midlands, with 40.9 and 39.9 respectively.

While Wychavon is fifth for number of green vehicles with 444.

And Malvern Hills sits in third place for the growth in ULEVs between 2015 and 2018 in the region.

Natalie Chapman, of Freight Transport Association, said: "Local councils should focus on supporting and enabling the freight industry to operate as efficiently as possible.

"For example, shifting freight activity out of the morning peak to less congested times of the day or even overnight can deliver significant environmental and social benefits: reduced emissions leading to improved air quality and fewer lorries on the road during the school run and at peak times when there are high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians.

"Not everything can be re-timed but retail would be a sensible candidate," she added.

Roger Lawson, Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), said: "A cost-benefit justification should be required for all policy proposals. There should be no retrospective legislation, in other words rules should not be changed for vehicles that have already been purchased."

A spokesman for the Energy Saving Trust said: "Travelling 100 miles in pure electric vehicles will cost £2 to £4 in electricity.

"Driving 100 miles in a petrol or diesel car will cost around £13 to £16 in fuel, which is around four times the cost of the electric car.

"While more charging infrastructure is needed, many people will be able to cheaply and conveniently recharge at home overnight and there are grants available for householders, workplaces and local authorities to reduce installation costs.

"While new EVs are comparatively more expensive than petrol and diesel equivalents, costs have come down considerably in recent years."