Nissan reveals all-electric Leaf

Date: 03 August 2009

Nissan has unveiled the electric car that will be on sale by the end of next year. The Japanese firm is promising that, including the Government's £5000 subsidy from 2011, the car won't cost any more than the equivalent "well equipped" lower medium 1.6-litre diesel competitor, though actual pricing is still over a year away from being confirmed.

The car has a claimed range of 100 miles, which Nissan's research says "satisfies the daily driving requirements of 70% of the world's consumers who drive cars," and can be 80% charged in 30 minutes from a standard home's three-pin plug

"We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality - the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero - not simply reduced - emissions," said Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn. "It's the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey - for people all of the world, for Nissan and for the industry."

The Leaf can be linked to the driver's mobile phone, enabling functions like remote monitoring of the charging status and even setting the aircon to cool or heat the car while it's at home and still plugged in, to save on draining the battery during the journey.

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