Following the official launch the car will then embark upon a Roadshow Tour of the country for the month of August where it will be on display at various venues around the country including:
* Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dublin – Friday 6th August and Saturday 7th August
* Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork – Friday 13th August
* Headford Road Shopping Centre, Galway – Sunday 15th August
* Blanchardstown Shoppping Centre, Dublin – Friday 20th and Saturday 21st August
Interested parties will be able to reserve test-drive bookings in the LEAF at each of the display venues over the course of the month of August giving them the opportunity to be among the first in Europe to test drive and experience zero-emission motoring for themselves.
Amid strong global demand for the world’s first affordable mass-produced, zero-emission electric vehicle, Nissan International SA have opened order books for Nissan LEAF in Portugal and the Republic of Ireland, since 23 July 2010, last Friday.
The ordering process is a first step in securing a place on the list to receive the ground-breaking Nissan LEAF, and means Irish and Portuguese customers will be first in line to receive the car in Europe. Nissan LEAF goes on sale here in Ireland in February 2011. And all those interested in this first for electric vehicles can register their interest on Nissan.ie (www.nissan.ie/register_interest.aspx).
“Today’s announcement brings zero-emissions motoring one step closer to reality in Europe,” said Simon Thomas, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Nissan International SA. “Nissan LEAF appeals to customers on many levels; it’s a zero-emissions electric car with lithium ion batteries with all of the financial benefits that brings, but is also incredibly practical and fun to drive. It’s a powerful combination that is attracting many customers.”
Since March, more than 11,000 customers in Europe have signed up for regular updates on Nissan LEAF’s introduction, and in the US and Japan pre-orders have exceeded 20,000 units since online reservations began in April.
Ireland is one of the countries that have positioned itself at the forefront of electric mobility in Europe, thanks in part to significant incentives for electric cars offered by the governments and ongoing development in charging infrastructure.
The price of Nissan LEAF after government incentives is €29,995 in Ireland and includes the lithium ion batteries. This means that despite its advanced technology, Nissan LEAF will be no more expensive to buy – and considerably cheaper to run – than a conventional compact family hatchback. Running costs for the fuel efficient cars are anticipated at less than €1.20/100km in Ireland representing almost an 80% saving on an average 1.5 litre diesel family car.
Nissan LEAF is fully equipped with features such as air conditioning, satellite navigation and a parking camera. Innovative smart phone connectivity will allow an owner to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via a mobile phone.
The electric car’s AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of more than 140 km/h (90 mph). The electric motor is ‘fuelled’ by a laminated lithium-ion battery with a power output of more than 90 kW.
A full charge delivers a potential range of 160 km (100 miles – US LA4 mode) which will satisfy the daily driving demands of most customers. Global research indicates that the average daily mileage for 80 percent of the world’s population is under 100 km: the figure in Japan and the UK is under 50 km for 80 percent of the population.
Nissan employs around 12,500 people in its European design, research and development, manufacturing, logistics, and sales and marketing operations. In calendar year 2009, the company sold 498,027 vehicles across 40 markets in Western and Eastern Europe including Russia. Furthermore, the company produced a total of 390,727 vehicles in its Spanish and British plants.
www.nissan.ie/NissanLeaf/ReserveYourLeaf/overview.aspx
