Tesla has taken the unusual step of scrapping its technology patents and so welcoming other car makers to share its know-how without fear of legal action, the company has announced.

Writing on the company’s website CEO Elon Musk said: "Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport.

"If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who wants to use our technology."

Tesla’s boss is known to be an enthusiast for the world to adopt electric propulsion and sees his company as a catalyst for change and wants to speed up the process.

Speaking to Autocar UK earlier this week he said: "There's a long way to go with electric cars. Out of 95 million cars per year, we sell 35,000. Globally everyone has work to do for one per cent of cars to be electric."

He also revealed his frustration at how larger and more established car companies have been slow to move away from traditional propulsion technologies.

Photograph: Tesla's technology is now open-source, says company chief Elon Musk.