Under the initiative, Milton Keynes Council will facilitate the installation of 430 electric vehicle charging points in a mixture of public and private locations in the city, plus up to 2,000 points in homes.

Milton Keynes residents will receive local incentives to switch to electric vehicles, such as free charging and free parking at city centre posts, as well as national Government incentives, which could include up to £5,000 towards the cost of an electric car.

In addition, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has agreed to place priority on requests for electric vehicles in the UK from Milton Keynes. This includes the Nissan LEAF electric car, which will be available in the UK from early 2011.

The agreement forms part of Milton Keynes Council's Low Carbon Living agenda which aims to put Milton Keynes at the forefront of low carbon living nationally and internationally. Last year, Milton Keynes signed up to the Joined-Cities Plan which will create a network of vehicle recharging points across the country. Earlier this year, Milton Keynes Council secured funding through the Government's £30-million Plugged-in-Places scheme to help build the charging infrastructure. 

David Hill, Milton Keynes Council's chief executive said: 'We are delighted to be working with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to give Milton Keynes people the opportunity to be at the forefront of electric vehicle use. We have always been a pioneer for green technologies and initiatives, and this agreement is yet another positive step for Milton Keynes as a showcase low-carbon city.'