THE search is on to find neighbours in an Oxford street to sign up to an electric car scheme.

Ten city residents will be chosen to take part in an 18-month trial where they will be loaned a Nissan Leaf car and provided with a charging point at their home.

The scheme is part of My Electric Avenue, a £9.7m project led by consultant EA Technology and energy giant Scottish and Southern Energy to test how multiple households in the same neighbourhood using electric cars will affect the national grid.

Green campaigners from Low Carbon East Oxford have welcomed the scheme.

Group chairman Robin Morris said: “Long term, this project is about reducing the use of fossil fuels, but the immediate benefits of introducing electric cars into cities like Oxford would mean a huge improvement in air quality.”

Groups of 10 neighbours will be provided with cars at subsidised rates of about £100 per month.

Project manager Timothy Butler said: “We are approaching the point where electric cars can now do the journeys most people require from them, so this scheme could save hundreds of millions of pounds over the next 20 to 30 years, depending on uptake of the vehicles.”

For more information about My Electric Avenue see the website www.myelectricavenue.info or call 0151 347 2221.