The manufacturer’s hybrid cars are serviced in the same workshop as its conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.

Its Prius Plug-in is serviced and maintained in the same way as a conventional hybrid model. All Prius models receive a one-year/10,000-mile service.

Nissan produces the British-built Leaf and will next year launch its e-NV200 electric van.

“Each Nissan technician completes a detailed in-house training course which ensures that they are fully qualified to carry out any technical work on one of our EVs,” said a spokesman.

“There are specially-designed modules that bring the dealer technicians up to speed on the basics of electric vehicle power supply and charging capabilities.

“The technician will also be fully trained on the power platform installed in the vehicle, including the main EV-dedicated components like its lithium-ion battery, motor, on-board charger and the AC/DC converter.

“As a result, every Nissan dealership has the capability to carry out all necessary repair work.”

Nissan provides a five-year/60,000-mile warranty for all its vehicles’ electric components.

The spokesman added: “We also provide a three-year/60,000-mile warranty for standard components and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The Leaf lithium-ion battery state of health warranty protects against battery capacity loss as shown on the car’s capacity gauge for a period of five years or 60,000 miles.”

The Leaf is serviced once a year and much like a traditionally-powered car it is subjected to cabin air filter checks, brake fluid replacement and coolant checks.

Other EV-specific components will also be checked during the 12-month service, according to the manufacturer.

Meanwhile, Honda trains all new and existing technicians on block courses on hybrid vehicle maintenance and repair. This includes diagnostic fault finding and the dangers associated with the high voltages involved.

A spokesman said: “All Honda car dealers have the capability to repair Honda hybrid vehicles. Hybrid servicing on Hondas is the same as for petrol and diesel models, recommended every 12,000 miles.”

He added that while the company hasn’t introduced EVs in the UK yet, this will happen “sometime in the future”.