NEW electric car charging bays have been creating a buzz in Tunbridge Wells.

Asda in North Farm Retail Park has installed the eco-friendly device in two spaces – the first in the town.

There is estimated to be only a handful of electric car drivers in Tunbridge Wells.

But Asda, which opened its new Longfield Road store less than three weeks ago, is looking to the future.

However, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council transport chief Brian Ransley believes it will be a while before they become popular.

"Nationally, the take-up on electric cars is very, very slow and I think until the batteries reduce in size they won't catch on," he said. "At the moment they are enormous and very heavy to carry."

The zero-carbon-emission cars can be charged by swiping a pre-pay top-up card, which releases a three-pin plug to connect to a lead from the car.

The borough council is considering installing two electric ports on the top floor of the Great Hall car park in the town centre.

Borough councillor Frank Williams was delighted at Asda's move.

He said: "I love them, put them anywhere and everywhere as far as I'm concerned.

"We need to have networks of charge points for electric cars to grow. They are much better for the environment."

Electric car expert Luke Irvine, a salesman at Motorline Nissan in North Farm, expects Asda's move will act as a catalyst.

He said: "This is the first in Tunbridge Wells but I expect there will be plenty more coming to the area in the near future.

"They are common in London and a lot of the big supermarkets are looking at them."

Kate Sergeant, chairman of sustainability campaign group Transition Tunbridge Wells, said: "It's interesting.

"They will certainly be more important in the future when petrol rises beyond the reach of most people."