Available from the first half of 2014 and valid for the life of the vehicle, this will allow those whose five-year, 60,000-mile warranty against capacity loss and six-year, 100,000 mile warranty against defects have run out to receive a new or reconditioned battery unit regardless of the age of their LEAF. If the vehicle is sold on, the lease will be passed on too.

The programme is the result of a global survey of LEAF owners and prospective customers, who voiced a preference for a monthly payment programme and assurances that the battery would maintain a certain level of capacity. Nissan said it had been modelled on the battery leasing option offered to new European LEAF drivers, and it is priced to match.

Erik Gottfried, Nissan's director of Electric Vehicle Sales and Marketing, said: ‘Nissan anticipates that the great majority of our current LEAF drivers will never need this battery replacement option. However, this program is yet another example of Nissan's commitment to deliver peace of mind for our continually growing community of LEAF drivers.’

A spokesperson for Nissan GB said similar plans are not being considered for European markets.