Nissan Leaf hatchback 2011 pictures

The Nissan Leaf was the first car designed from the ground up as an EV to go on sale in the UK

Its electric drivetrain aside, the Leaf is a practical and striking-looking five-door family hatchback

Updates since it was launched have boosted the Leaf's power and driving range

The futuristic looks may not appeal to those who don't want to shout about the fact they're driving an EV

The Leaf is a more affordable proposition than headline-grabbing electric cars like the Tesla Model S

Charging a Leaf from empty should only cost around £2 depending on your electricity rates

Cold weather, motorway driving and using the air-conditioning can reduce the Leaf's potential range

Potential Leaf buyers should have off-street parking or a garage so a home charging point can be installed

Soft suspension means the Leaf responds best to being driven gently

Performance is equivalent to a typical diesel family hatchback

The 24kWh battery is guaranteed for five years and the 30kWh for eight

The Nissan Leaf's large headlights are one of its most distinctive features

Zero CO2 output means the Leaf is exempt from both road tax and the London Congestion Charge

Customer satisfaction with the Leaf is very good according to our annual Driver Power survey

The Leaf's dashboard incorporates a large infotainment screen, something that's become almost universal since it launched

The sat nav shows nearby charging stations and calculates if you have sufficient power to make your destination

A range of at least 124 miles should be enough for most daily commutes

The Leaf has the creature comforts you'd expect from a family hatch – but using them can reduce your range

There's plenty of room in the Leaf's back seats, so passengers will be comfortable

Boot space is also generous – but the presence of the batteries means the seats don't fold completely flat