Speaking at the launch, Transport Minister Norman Baker and Business Manager Mark Prisk said the map was designed to make it easier for motorists to go electric, allowing them to plan journeys around available charging points.

The National Chargepoint Registry will be developed by London-based manufacturer PodPoint, with the data being supplied for use in satellite navigation and mobile applications.

A Central Whitelist will also be created as part of the plans, meaning EV owners can register centrally and use charging points all over the country instead of signing up to different local schemes individually.

Norman Baker said: ‘We know there is public appetite out there for plug-in vehicles and as government we’re doing everything possible to make them a real option for both motorists and industry.

‘This Registry will get us away from the mind-set of; will I, won’t I get there? And I’m sure that public and private chargepoint owners alike will get behind the initiative because the more information we have up there the more motorists will be encouraged to make the switch to electric.

‘The Central Whitelist offers charging scheme operators a really straightforward way to share membership card details – it will enable their members to access chargepoints outside their “home” charging scheme. This freedom to roam between charging schemes is a very important step forward for the plug-in vehicle market.

‘There is no doubt that low-carbon vehicles are here to stay, we will continue to work with industry to create a world-leading charging network that really reflects the needs of its users.’