Dubbed POLAR Plus, the new scheme will offer drivers access to the expanding POLAR London and POLAR national network of over 4,000 charging points for a monthly subscription of £7.85 with the first six months’ subscription free.

Over 80% of the POLAR Plus charging points are free to use, with remaining points charged at the equivalent of 9p per unit of electricity – typically less than the cost of charging at home, according to Chargemaster. A pay-as-you-go instant access rate will also be available for non-members.

Members can also accrue points to use on week-long loans of a selection of the latest electric cars. Vehicles available include the BMW i8 and Tesla Model S, as well as Nissan LEAF, Renault ZOE and the Renault Twizy. New vehicle launches, including the Tesla Model X SUV and vehicles from Audi and Mercedes, will also be added to the POLAR Experience fleet shortly after their introduction in the UK.

Users receive 10 POLAR points each time they charge in a particular town or city across the country each month. For 10 points, drivers can borrow a Renault Twizy with the BMW i8 available for 100 points.

David Martell, chief executive of Chargemaster, commented: “POLAR Plus is a hugely attractive position to the growing population of electric motorists across the country and in particular the heavy user. Electric vehicle usage has more than trebled over the last year and now is the time for there to be an expanding robust nationwide charging network. Not only will EV motorists gain access to a national network of serviceable, state-of-the-art charging points but they will be able to sample all the latest in electric car technology.

“We find that once converted to ultra-low emission motoring, people tend not to return to high-emission pure internal combustion engine cars.”

EV drivers can join the new POLAR Plus scheme online at www.polarnetwork.com.