The manufacturer's research has shown only 160 public-access quick charging points are available countrywide. Most electric vehicle owners are reliant on being able to recharge at home. Quick charging, which offers 80% battery capacity in 30 minutes, is vital for enabling longer-distance journeys, Nissan said.

Nissan is investigating how it can find ways to integrate workplace charging stations and units at its own dealers to the network. It will also work with charging point partner NRG Energy on a $150m (£95m) project to establish a membership-based public-access quick charging infrastructure covering cities in Texas, California and the District of Columbia.

Brendan Jones, Nissan's director of electric vehicle marketing and sales strategy, said: ‘We envision a quick-charging network that links communities and neighborhoods where people live, work, shop and socialize. Having a robust charging infrastructure helps build range confidence, which boosts interest in and use of electric vehicles.’