You can now charge your eco friendly car while you are shopping – thanks to a new device made by a Dorset company.

The solar-powered car port, launched by H2Eco last week, has been created for use in large supermarkets and council car parks.

The company claims it could generate up to 1,900 kWh of energy, enough to power up a Nissan Leaf to drive for 8,000 miles a year. The port, when not in use, can be connected to an existing power supply.

H2Eco partner Mike Stephenson said: “For those who have invested in an electric car or are considering doing so, this is yet another step forward to being a green motorist.

The company wants local authorities and private car park management companiesto install the port on a larger scale.