A CAR park has been fitted with a charging station for electric cars.

Eastleigh MP and Energy Secretary Chris Huhne was at the town’s Mitchell Road multi-storey to unveil the device, which can also be used to power up hybrid vehicles.

Motorists will be able to use the service for free.

The charging station was supplied by Chargemaster for free under a three year contract.

Mr Huhne said “Electric vehicles are increasingly competitive on cost with a normal family car.

“The biggest worry people have about electric vehicles is that they will not travel far enough but with a range of more than 100 miles and with lots of charging stations being installed up and down the country I think drivers will warm to this idea.”

“The future is electric – these vehicles can now give people the mobility they expect without damage to the environment.”