Whitchurch residents will be among the first in the UK to take part in a new project to save money when publicly charging electric vehicles.

Shropshire is one of four regions to take part in the scheme to demonstrate how smart technology can be integrated into public EV chargers across the UK.

In Whitchurch, the Agile Streets project will see smart chargers installed by Connected Kerb in Brownlow Street.

Chris Pateman-Jones, chief officer of Connected Kerb, said: "Easy access to affordable charging infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to the uptake of EVs.

"The number of smart energy tariffs has exploded in recent years thanks to increasing demand from EV owners, making charging at home one of the most affordable ways to travel today.

"However, almost half of us don't have that privilege and instead rely on public charging infrastructure, which is often more expensive.

"It is vital that access to affordable energy is equitable across the entire population – driveway or not – and this project does just that, giving drivers in Shropshire without off-street parking the same benefits as everyone else."

Smart metering allows EVs to schedule charging at times when energy prices are cheapest, such as overnight when demand is low, or on sunny and windy days when there is an abundance of supply due to additional solar and wind energy.

The Agile Streets project intends to demonstrate the use of a smart metering system as a new business model to manage public EV charging sustainably, incentivising EV drivers to allow a flexible charging schedule, normally reserved for those with home charging.

The trial will run from October 2021 until May 2022, giving hundreds of local drivers the opportunity to benefit.

Once the trial is over, the chargers will be handed over to Shropshire Council.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for climate change, natural assets and the green economy, added: "Providing equal access to affordable electric vehicle charging across the country is a key part of our plan to become carbon net-neutral by 2030 and assist in the ambition for Shropshire as a whole to become carbon net-neutral in the same year.

"This scheme offers a great opportunity for local businesses and residents to have access to charging infrastructure that could save them hundreds of pounds every year.

"Not only is this crucial as we move closer to the 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars, but it means that Shropshire can play its part in the green revolution."

To apply to take part in the scheme, drivers simply sign up at www.agilestreets.com.

A selection process will then take place to ensure applicants live and/or work in the local area.