Nissan Leaf

THE arrival of electric cars in this country was something of a a false dawn.

With a sadly lacking re-fuel infrastructure, justified range anxiety and prices that raised eyebrows, there was never going to be a mass evacuation from the petrol pump to the charging point.

It's four years now since the first examples of the pioneering Nissan Leaf eased, near-silently, off the production line in Sunderland as the world's first purpose-designed 100 per cent electric car from a major manufacturer.

Zero-emission mobility was no longer a dream but a reality.

The Government has extended the £5,000 grant scheme open to anyone who buys a car with plug-in electric power. It is part of a £500 million move to encourage car owners – and city authorities – to take up the electric car baton and run with it.

There will be more than ten times as many electric car charging points as petrol stations by 2020 – and that’s just one of the planned networks.

According to POD Point CEO Erik Fairbairn, the conditions are beginning to emerge to allow electric and plug-in hybrid cars to flourish, leading to an explosion in charge point installations in the coming years that could top 100,000 just in POD Point’s own infrastructure.

Nissan fleet sales leapt 30 per cent in the last financial year as demand for the Leaf surged to new heights.

With fleet operators increasingly adopting greener strategies to reduce cost and environmental impact by turning to electric vehicles, Leaf sales were up 132 per cent in the 2013 financial year and contributed to a total of 27,912 core fleet and leasing sales for the Japanese manufacturer.

In Birmingham this month, the city council began a six-month trial of the Leaf as part of a push to expand its use of green vehicles. It's a similar story at other councils across the country.

On our own doorstep,York now has six pay-as-you-go "fast-charging" points at car parks, with more on the way, and there are 12 other charging points in the city.

With an increasing frequency, private firms are also taking tentative steps towards improving the infrastructure.

Even though Leaf was one of the most advanced cars available on the market, progress doesn't stand still.

Now we have the second generation, which looks broadly similar to the original but features significant significant improvements under the skin.

Yo u can now buy a new Leaf from £15,990, if you are prepared to lease the battery at £70 a month, or £20,990 with battery included.

The big selling point is that the 'fuel' will cost you less than £2 for every 100 miles you drive.

There are more than 100 changes to be found, including a greater driving range, a larger boot, more comfort, more interior space and more choice, and some of the changes have been driven by feedback from early adopters.

Just how far you will get on a full charge will depend on driving style and conditions, and will vary between 76 miles for a motorway drive and 124 miles for a leisurely drive without the air-conditioning on.

There are now quick-chargers that deliver 50 kW of high voltage direct current to the depleted battery via a special safety-approved connector.

They are capable of replenishing a battery to around 80 per cent of its capacity in 30 minutes, allowing longer journeys to be undertaken without range issues intervening.

The Leaf's AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of more than 90mph. The electric motor is powered by a Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery with an output of more than 90 kW.

The emissions-free Leaf's styling is not radical, but there are some curves and hard edges that are untypical of a regular-sized family hatch.

Climb inside and the Leaf is a little more conventional.

Where the Leaf starts to differ from a regular car begins with the instrument display. There is no rev counter or engine temperature gauge. Instead there is a battery temperature gauge and on the opposite side there is the equivalent of your fuel tank: the remaining charge. Alongside the range display, this is the crucial bit of information that tells you how far you can travel without plugging in.

The battery charge meter is backed up by a range-to-empty display which is constantly updating to give an accurate picture. There's no physical gearbox although you shift between P, R and D for forward, reverse and park, but there is the option of an Eco mode. There's also a B mode that allows more regenerative braking.

Once on the go, the Leaf encourages you to eke out every extra mile. The top of the display indicates the power demands according to the actions of your right foot, and coasting or using the brakes activates the regeneration.

With only wind and tyre noise to accompany you on a journey, plus the occasional hushed 'milk float' whine of the electric motor, the initial experience is a little disconcerting.

It's a joy to drive around urban environments, and when you encounter more challenging environments you begin to appreciate its terrific pulling power.

At a glance

PRICE: From £15,990

ENGINE: Electric

TRANSMISSION: Automatic with selectable modes

PERFORMANCE: 0 to 62mph in 11.5 seconds

RANGE: 76 to 124 miles, depending on conditions