The CARE-EV scheme introduces the option for retail and Motability customers to use a petrol or diesel Nissan, for free, for up to 14 days, and includes a guaranteed 24-hour test drive to improve familiarity before ordering. Fuel and insurance costs are covered by the driver.

To reduce range anxiety, fleet and retail customers will be able to take advantage of free rapid chargers, a network which includes the entire Ecotricity Electric Highway and units located at all of Nissan’s 205 UK dealers. If the driver runs out of range, the carmaker is also offering free towing across Europe.

Finally, to alleviate concerns about battery life, the scheme includes a guarantee that the LEAF’s lithium-ion battery won’t lose more than 25% of its capacity within the first five years or 60,000 miles.

Jim Wright, managing director at Nissan Motor GB said: ‘By making firm promises across five key areas we are tackling head on some of the questions we hear from potential customers when considering electric cars for the first time. These commitments deliver unprecedented levels of support to customers and make the LEAF a practical, desirable and affordable reality for many more motorists.’