The latest European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) safety tests involve six significant cars.  After the simulated frontal and side-impact crashes, the Nissan Leaf emerged as the first fully electric vehicle to achieve a five-star overall rating for occupant protection.

Nissan says its top score was due to the Leaf’s battery pack being located below the rear seat compartment, minimising the risks of battery damage or high-voltage leaking.

Euro NCAP is an independent organisation that carries out controlled tests on all the latest cars so that buyers can compare like with like.

Those tests include frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact and whiplash.

The Leaf – the reigning European and World Car of the Year – earned an 89pc rating for adult safety, and 83pc rating for child protection and an 84pc rating for its on-board safety assist systems.