The units use electromagnetic induction to transmit electricity wirelessly, similar to the way electric toothbrushes recharge. Evatran’s work has centered on allowing this to transmit over seven inches, and the completed product does so at 90% efficiency while recharging an electric vehicle at the same speed as a wired connection.

For the launch process, the manufacturer is partnering with companies with either the Chevrolet Volt or Nissan LEAF – the first vehicles to have on-board receivers (pictured) available – on its fleet. The first partners began testing their Plugless Power equipped Nissan LEAFs at the start of July, and a further three installations are planned by the end of the month. Trials will continue for a further three months, with data being fed back to Evatran.

Tom Hough, Evatran's chief executive officer, said: ‘Our goal in launching this one-of-a-kind initiative was two-fold, we wanted to get this game-changing technology into the hands of real electric vehicle drivers and we wanted to show the market that convenient, wireless charging technology can encourage electric vehicle adoption on a large scale.’

Evatran said it is now ready to begin the second phase of its launch, and is seeking additional partners to work with.

Brian Normann, Evatran's chief technology officer said: ‘We're already learning how users interact with the system, the confidence it gives them in recharging their electric vehicles, and what we need to update for our production aftermarket systems.

‘Our partners, through their daily use of the system, are supplying us with invaluable feedback to utilize as we update our design and make it available to electric vehicle drivers across the country.’