New rapid electric vehicle chargers are hoped to be ready for use "by the end of 2023" at Imperial Road car park in Exmouth, according to East Devon District Council.

The local authority said it was notified this month that National Grid capacity needs to be upgraded to power the chargers.

The operator Wenea has reportedly "committed extra funds" to help speed up the process.

It is hoped the chargers will be ready by the end of 2023. In the meantime, the spaces will be made available for regular pay-and-display parking.

An EDDC spokesperson said: "As of June 2023 we have been notified that National Grid reinforcement works will be required to power these chargers which will not be completed until the end of 2023.

"Wenea has committed extra funds to upgrade National Grid capacity, so that additional EV chargers at the Imperial Road site will be ready for public use as soon as is possible. It is hoped that this will be by the end of 2023.

"To avoid disruption to one of the most popular car parks locally, until these chargers are brought online, these spaces will be made available for pay-and-display parking."

The new Wenea chargers will operate at 60kwh. There are already Scottish Power EV chargers at the same car park which operate at 22kwh.