Spanning The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the new units bring Tesla’s European network to 14 sites, following the first installations in Norway last year. A network which will eventually extend into the UK, once the Model S electric luxury car launches in right hand drive early this year.

Tesla has a network of 81 sites globally, mostly located in North America, allowing drivers to add 50% charge to the long-range batteries on a Model S within 20 minutes. Significantly, the network is offered with no cost to recharge, provided drivers select it as an option.

Since the first units were installed in California in September 2012, Tesla claims to have reduced petrol usage by a quarter of a million Imperial gallons.