The Leaf mopped up awards all over the place when it was first unveiled. It made history for Nissan, being the first mass-produced electric family car. You can recharge it at home or at one of the many chargepoints now available throughout the country, making for exceptionally low running costs. The cabin is roomy and there is a decent-sized boot, making it a viable choice as a family runaround. On the road, the Leaf is a smooth performer. It handles well with a nice feel to the steering and a supple suspension. In fact, bar the lack of engine noise, the Leaf feels much like any other normal automatic car to drive. It's powered by a front-end electric motor and two lithium batteries, producing around 108bhp.

In 2016 Nissan introduced a third generation of the Leaf. The drivetrain and look have remained pretty much the same but with this updated model they have tried to address the range anxiety that hinders all-electric vehicles. All models are now available with a larger 30kWh battery. This new larger power pack increases the possible range to 250 km, a 70km improvement over the older 24kWh battery. The downside being that it does come at a premium.

•  The battery range is shortened in cold temperatures due to heater usage

•  High efficiency levels and zero CO2 emissions

•  It is a practical car with lots of space in the cabin and boot

•  Recharging the Leaf costs next to nothing

•  It feels refined and comfortable on the move; suspension is supple

•  Huge amount of standard equipment, some of the best technology

• Range anxiety while reduced, will still exist
• The slight inconvenience of charging and forward planning