Hexham MP Guy Opperman has welcomed a new law which will require new homes and offices to have electric charging points as the government plans to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The announcement comes amongst fears over a shortage of plug-in points.

The legislation, billed as the first of its kind in the world, will also require all chargers to be “smart” devices that will ensure batteries can be replenished without overloading the grid.

This includes promoting the use of charging overnight. The rules are expected to come into force next year.

The government will ban the sale of new pure petrol and diesel cars by 2030, with hybrids that operate using a combination of battery power and a combustion engine following in 2035.

The UK has about 25,000 public charging points and government grants have been used to install a further 200,000.

However, with more than 30 million cars on UK roads, far more will be needed to provide motorists with the power to recharge batteries.

Mr Opperman said: ‘’Charging your car needs to be as easy as charging your phone.

"That’s why this announcement shows that once again the UK is innovative and world-leading in finding solutions to tackle climate change and get to Net Zero.

"Infrastructure will be vital in our transition to electric vehicles. This change will make charging points more accessible across Tynedale and Ponteland which will attract more people to purchase an electric car."