We’ve been waiting to hear if Nissan was going to drop the price of its all-electric hatchback, the LEAF in the UK since confirmation of price drops for the US and Japanese markets.
Now Nissan at last has revealed that the price tag is indeed to get a bit smaller, cutting £2,500 off the retail price. Low rate finance deals also mean you can now drive away an electric car for just £239 a month.
The electric hatch now retails for £23,490 after a £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant has been deducted. The new price is effective immediately, even before a new updated version of the LEAF arrives.
With the Japanese brand to move production of the model to its UK plant in Sunderland later this year, the change comes as the brand works to ensure it remains the top-selling fully electric car in its three strongest markets; the UK, Japan and the US.
Of course, savvy buyers will know that the low price tag isn’t the only appeal of an electric model. With zero tailpipe emissions, the LEAF pays zero road tax and is exempt from company car tax. Recharging off-peak means that the ‘fuel’ cost of such a car could be as low as a couple of pence per mile too. Recharging takes as little as 30 minutes from a growing number of rapid charging points.
As standard, the LEAF includes Carwings, Nissan’s unique telematics system which allows an owner to control the heating and air conditioning settings and to monitor the charging process remotely via a smart phone.
Other standard equipment includes a rear-view parking camera, rapid charge capability, Intelligent Key, LED headlamps and Bluetooth connectivity. Nissan LEAF has been granted a top 5 star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
Winner of the World, European and Japan Car of the Year Awards when it was launched in 2011, about 50,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles have been sold world-wide.
“There is no doubt that Nissan LEAF is a revolution and existing customers are passionate in their belief that zero-emission mobility is not the future, but is here now,” said Paul Willcox, senior vice president, Nissan Europe.
“Nissan’s objective for LEAF has always been to bring zero-emission mobility within reach of the mass-market. Our price reduction underlines that commitment and with no price premium even more motorists will become believers.”
Production of the updated model is due to start at Nissan European plant in Sunderland, UK, in Spring 2013. Expect to see the new model previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Faye Sunderland
January 23, 2013
Filed under: Nissan
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