As part of an effort to tackle electronic waste, a public consultation launched in October is inviting opinions on the potential benefits of a standard charger, such as the widely used USB-C, for a range of modern tech.

The move follows the European Union’s landmark decision in 2022 to require small to medium electronic manufacturers to adopt USB-C by December this year.

While the UK initially said it was not considering similar rules, the recent call for evidence signals a potential change in direction.

Michael Terrell, Google's senior director for energy and climate, said: “The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies.

"This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone."

EU laws aim to reduce electronic waste by forcing device makers to adopt a single charging standard.

While Apple initially criticised the legislation, the tech giant eventually scrapped its proprietary Lightning cables in favour of USB-C with the launch of the iPhone 15 in 2023.

Consumer advocates have long highlighted the environmental impact of discarded cables, as devices continue to use different charging ports.

A report from the Recycle Your Electricals campaign estimated that more than 600 million unused or discarded cables were sitting in UK homes.

Materials Focus, a charity that promotes electrical recycling, has urged people to recycle old cables, citing the growing demand for copper.

Critics argue the EU directive could lead to a spike in e-waste as obsolete Lightning cables are thrown away in the years ahead.

If implemented, a UK policy could align the country with EU standards in reducing e-waste from discarded electronic accessories.