Pod Point is once again making its 2,000-strong public charging network free on Clean Air Day, to promote the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) for both air quality and climate change.

More than 1,700 locations in the UK have levels of air pollution that exceed safety limits, according to a pollution map released by environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth in February.

Road transport plays a huge role in the problem, contributing around 23% of carbon dioxide and 30% of nitrogen oxide emissions in Europe.

The health costs of this pollution are believed to be in the region of £6 billion per year, with around 10,000 early deaths and a number of conditions - including lung problems and heart disease - all linked to dirty air.

EVs can play a role in improving air quality and helping to tackle climate change as, unlike their petrol and diesel equivalents, they do not pump harmful emissions into the air and have lower greenhouse gas emissions over their whole life-cycle, says Pod Point.

Erik Fairbairn, Pod Point CEO and founder, said: “Initiatives like Clean Air Day are really important in raising awareness that dirty air affects every single one of us.

“We’re pleased to support this campaign once again with our free charging offer and hope it will help build understanding of the causes of air pollution and how EVs can be a part of the solution.”

All charging on Pod Point’s public network will be free for 24 hours from midnight on the 20 June. App users will charge and pay as usual.

Pod Point will reimburse any payments made via an in-app credit within 2-3 working days.

More articles on: