A motorist has blasted local authorities for a lack of provision for electric cars across the borough.

Simon Feldman has criticised the lack of free charging points and discounted on-street parking for electric vehicles (EVs) in Watford, which are on offer in Westminster.

In Westminster, there are 60 on-street 3kw or 7kw recharging points, including points fitted into lamp posts, whereas Watford's charging points are limited to those in car parks.

In addition, EV owners only have to pay for the first 10 minutes in Westminster’s on street pay-to-park bays, and EV owners in the borough do not have to pay the congestion charge.

Mr Feldman said: "We need easier access to charging points which are free to use, like they have in Westminster.

"In Westminster, they will install charging points on lamp posts - but Watford and Hertfordshire councils said they don't want to do that. They are not subsidising the costs of them. Watford is not an EV-friendly town. It is frustrating.

Mr Feldman, 32, a signalling controller at Transport For London (TfL) bought his Mitsubishi Outlander - a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle - in March.

"I think it is really good for the environment and it is good for people's wallets," he said. "You are saving money and saving the environment."

There is no vehicle tax to pay on electric vehicles. Running costs are lower than petrol and diesel vehicles and EVs have carbon dioxide emissions or other pollutants.

"I would like Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Borough Council to put together a plan about what to do going forward," said Mr Feldman.

The nearest charging point to Mr Feldman's house is at Timberlake car park in Radlett Road - around a ten minute walk from his home in Eastfield Avenue.

Other available charging points in the borough include ones at car parks and supermarkets including Tesco Extra.

But Mr Feldman argued they should be available for free on the road rather than at locations where you have to pay to park your vehicle.

In a written response to Mr Feldman, Julian Joseph, senior engineer at the county council's environment department, said: "We are aware of a number of trials being carried out in the London area and are keeping a watching brief on this aspect.

"Some of the trial feedback so far suggests there is a significant amount of assessment required before installation can commence. Some London Boroughs have reported the need for a full street light column replacement.

"Whilst these are not seen as barriers to this method of charging, the full turnkey solution by far exceeds the 20-60 minute install time frequently being quoted by manufacturers."