The patent protects the controller within the charging point, which only allows users to access the plug sockets with a wireless key containing their personal details. Once plugged in, the unit doesn’t begin to charge the car until the weatherproof door has shut and locked over the user’s plug. Each key is unique, meaning no other Elektrobay users can tamper with someone else’s charging.

Designed in 2004, Elektrobay was the first public charging point to be installed at the UK. The company’s first post in Westminster has been in operation since 2006, and the design has since been adopted by users all over the UK and internationally.

Calvey Taylor-Haw, managing director of Elektromotive commented: ‘Entering a market at a very early stage is a double-edged sword.  We took a risk by investing in the R&D of a completely new product in an emerging market, but we now have a Patent for a system that brings commercial and strategic advantages.  For all our products, we will continue to protect the IP and designs in this way.’