5 October 2010 Last updated at 07:49 ET

Sunderland draws up electric car charging points plan

Plans to install 30 charging points for electric vehicles have been drawn up by Sunderland City Council.

There are to be a total of 30 Elektrobay points split between 11 council-run car parks.

Locations include the multi-storey car park at the Civic Centre, Houghton, Washington, Roker and Seaburn.

Electric vehicles are plugged into the post, and are allowed up to four hours free parking during re-charging with the free electricity.

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We're seeing a lot of technological development in the North East for electric vehicles, and Sunderland is at the heart of these developments.

"The charging points will help make it easier for electric vehicle owners across all of Sunderland."

In March Japanese car firm Nissan announced that its new electric car - the Leaf - would be built at its Sunderland plant.