BP Oil receives approval for electric charging bays at Peterborough petrol station

The company had already installed the bays, as well as new infrastructure and lighting, but said that it was “not aware of the need for planning permission”.

However, a retrospective application has now been granted.

BP Oil said: “The changes to the site with the new charging bays will help future-proof the filling station and bring it up to modern standards, with the national shift towards more sustainable and ecofriendly travel in the form of electric vehicles.”

There were 51 public charging devices in Peterborough at the start of April, according to Department for Transport data.

That was a rate of 25 per 100,000 people – among the highest in the East of England, where the figure stood at 17.

However, the local rate was still below the UK average of 27.