Kia Motors (UK) has joined a Chargemaster partnership which has supported the EV infrastructure specialist's opening of a multi-brand Electric Vehicle Experience Centre in Milton Keynes.

Opening to vistors at Milton Keynes’ shopping centre, The Centre:MK, the EVEC will showcase the options that are available for them when wanting to buy an electric car.

Kia will have a range of models on show and available for test drive from July 22. Models available will be the all-Electric Soul and Optima PHEV.

The Korean brand lends its support to the project, which already counts BMW i, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen among its founding partners.

Part of the city’s £9 million Go Ultra Low Cities programme, the new facility will showcase vehicles from a variety of manufacturers under one roof and showcase Milton Keynes’ infrastructure of 170 standard public chargers and 56 rapid chargers, which were installed by Chargemaster on behalf of Milton Keynes Council.

Chargemasters new store will see a team of “highly trained independent professionals” on hand to answer visitors’ EV questions and refer them to relevant local dealerships or partner leasing companies, a statement said.

Chargemaster chief executive, David Martell, added: “Being part of such a high-profile and diverse project is very exciting for Chargemaster.

“The centre will be the first of its kind and we are sure it will pave the way for other cities to follow.”