The Nissan LEAF will be a star attraction at the EVER Monaco 2010 event, which opens to the public tomorrow.
The expo, sponsored by the Japanese carmaker, runs until Sunday, March 28. Dedicated to showcasing the latest developments in ecological vehicles and renewable energies, the event will display the ‘world’s first affordable electric car’ during its four-day run.
Last March, Monaco signed a comprehensive partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to bring zero emission mobility to the Principality. As part of that agreement, Nissan will supply Nissan LEAF to Monaco in 2011, making Monaco one of the first markets in the world to be supplied with electric vehicles from the Alliance.
“We are very excited to give the public in Monaco a chance to see Nissan LEAF up close before it launches here in 2011. This is a real car that offers the same level of space, practicality and performance that you would expect from a similar-sized car – minus the tailpipe emissions,” said Pierre Loing, vice president of product strategy and planning in Europe and head of Nissan’s zero emission business unit in Europe.
“Thanks to Monaco’s proactive stance on zero emissions, including its plans to boost the number of its charging stations and to maintain incentives for electric vehicle buyers, we are confident that Nissan LEAF will do well here.”
Monaco plans to increase the number of its charging stations to more than 300 in 2011 – up from 176 last year – and also add three DC quick charge stations.
Nissan LEAF is powered by an 80 kW (108 hp) electric engine and has a range of 160 km or 100 miles and a top speed of more than 140 km/h (90 mph).
Tomorrow (Thursday, March 25), Nissan will also offer a short test drive of one of its electric vehicle prototypes which is based on the actual LEAF platform.
Nissan LEAF made its European debut at the annual Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It goes on sale in the US, Japan and select markets in Europe starting in late 2010, before global mass marketing in 2012.
The EVER Monaco show consists of an exhibition designed for ecological vehicles, battery and car parts manufacturers and a special area for two-wheeled vehicles, in addition to renewable energies and environmentally-friendly domestic solutions.
