The car park features spaces for charging electric and hybrid vehicles, making the location one of a very small number in the east of England. But a new initiative promises to ensure the spaces will be joined by hundreds more over the coming months.

EValu8-TI, a firm owned by the University of Hertfordshire, has announced plans for a network of 600 double-headed recharging posts across the region within two years, placing all businesses will be within 25 miles (40km) of a recharging post.

EValu8 is planning to install points at an array of locations, including at businesses, tourist attractions, shops and car parks.

The firm is also talking with councils about creating street-side charging facilities and has received Government backing from Baroness Hanham, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Hertfordshire has already been singled out as a hotspot that will benefit from Evalu8’s initial focus, with Hertford’s County Hall one location in line to receive a point.

Those who sign up will be able to freely use all of the points in the region and in London, with the electricity supplied from renewable sources.

Keith Bevis, managing director of EValu8, said: ‘Work on installing this network of smart charging points – aimed at making life smoother for the electric vehicle owner – began in the spring.

‘The innovations that are being delivered already through this network will benefit the drivers, the environment and the economy of this region -this is just the start.’