Nissan's preparations for the UK launch of the Leaf moved up a gear yesterday when the company named 24 dealers across the country to supply and charge the electric car when deliveries start in March.
Each dealer will have a fast-charge facility so customers can charge their cars to 80 per cent capacity in half an hour.
The geographic spread of the chosen sites will mean more than 90 per cent of the UK population will be living no more than 50 miles from a fast charger.
Customers who have already ordered the Leaf, which was named European Car of the Year 2011 by motoring journalists earlier this week, can choose their preferred dealer and will be offered a test drive before confirming their purchase.
"The appointment of the Nissan EV network is another milestone in the launch of the Nissan Leaf here in the UK," said Paul Willcox, managing director of Nissan UK. "We are confident that this network of dealers will provide the best service for our customers who have already ordered a Nissan Leaf, and offer the best advice to those who are yet to take the plunge."
Including the £5,000 government incentive for electric vehicles available from January, the Leaf will retail at £23,990.
The cost of its direct competitor, the Mitsubishi iMiev, was slashed to bring it into the same price bracket as the Leaf, and other manufacturers are now jostling to break into the market with GM, Tesla and Honda, among others, all preparing to release plug-in models over the next year.
In related news, Taiwanese firm Luxgen this week unveiled three electric models ready for mass production and a new intelligent electric concept model at trade event in China.
