Nissan’s all-electric car, the Leaf, makes its European debut in Ireland today when it is officially unveiled at Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock at 10pm.
The Leaf is one of the first all-electric vehicles made available from a mainstream brand, another being the Mitsubishi iMiev.
Although Nissan is taking orders for the Leaf today, the electric vehicle will not be available in Ireland until February 2011 with availability in the UK starting in March 2011.
Global sales begin in Japan and the US from late 2010.
The Nissan Leaf is a zero-emission five-seater C-segment hatchback and the world’s first mainstream mass market pure EV (Electric Vehicle).
As Nissan explains, the Leaf is a “clean sheet design”: it is neither a conversion of an existing petrol model nor a city-based quadricycle.
“Make no mistake, Nissan LEAF is evidence of Nissan’s leadership – with Alliance partner Renault – of the zero emission market and of the company’s serious intent to transform the future of personal mobility all over the world,” said Pierre Loing, vice-president, product and advance planning, Nissan International SA and responsible for Nissan’s Zero Emission strategy in Europe.
