AN ATTEMPT to jump-start Oxford's slow uptake of electric vehicles is now in motion, with up to 30 new charging points arriving in the next 12 months.

People and businesses across the city are being called on to help develop the plan and find suitable places for the trial stations, which will be bought in the summer.

In April this year Oxford City Council received an £800,000 grant to add an extra 100 charging stations to the city - where only 85 people currently drive electric cars.

John Tanner, the council's board member for climate change, said: "What we have at the moment is the early adopters, the enthusiasts.

"But with more plug-in points around the city, I think more people are going to take the plunge and buy electric vehicles."

There are currently 13 on-street charging stations around Oxford, of which three, Summertown Car Park, Cowley Road and Worcester Street Car Park, have reported faults.

It is hoped the 100 new devices will begin to be rolled out in 2018, making make electric vehicle ownership possible for 16,000 extra homes.

Mr Tanner added that another barrier to more people making the switch was the initial cost of a vehicle, which he said was comparatively "quite high".

But he added: "We have to get into our heads that although these vehicles cost a lot to buy in the first place, they are very cheap to run, and don't pollute the atmosphere.

"A petrol or diesel vehicle is pumping nitrogen dioxide into Oxford's atmosphere. To switch to renewable energy from fossil fuel is the right way to go."

Those already driving an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) could struggle to get around Oxford due to a lack of available charge points.

Low Carbon Hub CEO Barbara Hammond, who lives in a terraced house on Osney Island, bought a Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid - which can switch between electrical power and fuel-burning - three years ago.

She said: "When we get the space outside we would like to plug in from our house and use a 'cable gully' - a safe means of getting the cable across the pavement.

"If you live in a city being able to charge it is an issue. A lot of people would have an electric vehicle if they could be sure of charging it."

Research recently carried out by the city council suggested one in five people would consider going electric with their next vehicle.

Giles Dobson, 37, the owner of Oxford River Cruises based at Folly Bridge, said he would definitely buy an electric car if there were a place to charge it.

The Lake Street resident said: "My introduction to electric vehicles was the boats we operate - they're electrically propelled themselves.

"To me the attraction of electric vehicles is the environmental benefit primarily, but also they have company car and tax benefits."

Mr Dobson was among a small group of Oxford residents who met with the council on June 8 to discuss having a charging point on their street.

He added: "Lake Street is one of the worst for on-street parking because of the community centre, the health centre and the swimming pool.

"This scheme would make it feasible for me to get an electric car."