NISSAN is planning to install a network of fast charging posts in UK motorway service stations for free, to drive the uptake of its Leaf electric vehicle (EV).

The firm, which is to start making the car at its Sunderland plant from 2013, is aiming to install 65 posts at locations across the motorway network, city centres and airports from next February.

Yesterday the Japanese car giant said it would provide 400 quick charging points for free to similar locations across Europe, helping to persuade drivers EVs are suitable for longer journeys.

The posts can charge a battery to 80 per cent of its capacity in 30 minutes and Nissan said that by enabling customers to recharge batteries in a fraction of the time, it would help drive more customers towards EVs.

The announcement came on the day research by Deloitte's global manufacturing industry group showed many European consumers were reluctant to consider an EV unless charging times were reduced.

Nissan Motor (GB) Limited's managing director Jim Wright, said: "While we are confident that the Leaf's range will satisfy most customers' needs, we understand that some will need to make occasional longer journeys.

"Our vision is to create a pathway charging network which would remove so called range anxiety and open up pure EV ownership to a whole new spectrum of drivers."

Contact has already been made with the UK's three largest motorway service station chains which have a total of 100 stations across the country.

For more than 85 percent of the 13,000 consumers Deloitte surveyed across America, Asia, and Europe, convenience to charge was deemed very important when considering whether to move to an EV.

Most participants expected an EV to recharge its battery in two hours or less and in the UK 19per cent said 30 minutes was the longest acceptable charge time.