The programme is a result of Nissan’s partnership with five of Europe’s biggest utility and EV infrastructure supply companies, and charging points are already being allocated to interested countries who have placed bids for a network.

Of the 400 charging points, 65 will be installed in the UK. Nissan said it was already in talks with three of the largest motorway service stations to create a network on key routes across the country. City centres and major transport hubs, such as airports, will also be considered.

Locations will be chosen based on ease of access, installation dates from February 2012 and the provision of discounted or free charging for LEAF owners.

The latest charging points are as much as half the price of other quick chargers, and smaller too. Nissan hopes that by offering a service allowing LEAF owners to top up to 80% charge in 30 minutes, the network will broaden the appeal of electric motoring. Nissan hopes to have “several thousand” quick chargers in place by the end of 2012, and “tens of thousands” installed by the end of 2015.

Jim Wright, managing director of Nissan Motor GB Limited, said: ‘While we are confident that the LEAF’s range will satisfy most customers’ needs, we understand that some will need to make occasional longer journeys. Our vision is to create a ‘pathway charging network’ which would remove so called ‘range anxiety’ and open up pure EV ownership to a whole new spectrum of drivers.’

Nissan already has quick charging stations at 26 of its 32 EV dealers in the UK. The remaining six will get the new smaller units shortly, with a network of 150 UK dealer-based charging points planned by the end of 2012.