A new breed of 'smart' road lamps has just arrived in Shanghai, China.

The new lamps allows users to charge their electric cars, hop onto the internet and even monitor pollution, reported People's Daily Online.

15 of the lamps, unveiled October 27, were rolled out for the first trial with more expected in the future.

Clever: Smart street lamps unveiled in Shanghai yesterday allows users to get online and monitor pollution

Instant: One function is an emergency call button, which allows users to report any incidents (pictured)

Convenient: Those with electric cars will be able to charge their vehicles after downloading an app (pictured)

Although the lamps' primary function will be to light the street, it has been equipped with several different functions.

To start, it can act as a free wifi hotspot, allowing users to get online after registration.

There is a direct call button for emergency services, making reports of incidents much faster.

For tourists, there's the possibility of speaking to a central directory to get useful information such as road traffic and details of local businesses, bars and restaurants.

The lamps also offers a whole host of new environmentally friendly functions including allowing those with electric cars to charge up their vehicles.

Motorists will need to download an app and swipe the QR code for the lamps in order to pay for the electricity used through their phones.

Connected: The lamps act as a free wifi hotspot, which allows users to get online with their devices (pictured)

A representative for the Shanghai Construction Committee hopes that this will encourage the development of more electric cars in the city in the future.

What's more, the lamps could be used to monitor levels of pollution in the atmosphere.

However, the cost of the smart lamps is also substantial compared to the cost of a typical lamp, which starts from about 500 Yuan (£50).

Each smart lamp costs 20,000 Yuan (£2,000) to build and another 20,000 Yuan to be fitted with all of the gadgets.

The cost of operating the light is unknown.

At present, the 15 lights are operated on a trial basis in central Shanghai near Dagu Road, Shimen Road and Chengdu Road North.

The trial is expected to be rolled out to tourist hotspots such as Nanjing Road and the Bund in 2016.

Costly: Each lamp costs costs 20,000 Yuan (£2,000) to build and more money to be fitted with all of the gadgets