Nissan LEAF revealed: World's first purpose built 100% electric car

Nissan have today lifted the covers off their new LEAF design, the world’s first purpose-built 100% electric family car.

Clocking up 100 miles for just £2.50’s worth of power, and requiring only half an hour to get an 80% battery charge, it’s green credentials and budget benefits are plain to see.

The timing also couldn’t be better for the LEAF’s UK reveal. With the Government’s just-announced 1p tax increase on fuel set to hit driver’s pockets hard, many may be swayed more than ever towards the benefits of electric vehicles.

Research consultancy, Frost & Sullivan forecasts more than 100,000 sales of EVs in the UK by 2015, and the LEAF itself already has one high-profile fan in the shape of cycling star Lance Armstrong.

“Anytime you talk about technology — if it’s a computer, or if it’s a phone, or if it’s a bicycle — you always talk about ‘next level,'” says Armstrong.  Next level is the stuff that just blows you away. The LEAF was just really, in my opinion, what I would call next level.”

The public will be able to see the car for the first time at the Innovation Station at today at London’s O2 Arena, before driving off on a nationwide tour.

The free exhibition also features fun driving sims, a virtual car design programme for budding engineers and interactive games that show visitors how electric vehicles can change the way people will drive and live in the future.

Here’s the hard facts about the Nissan Leaf, as stated in its press release:

Length: 4445mm

Additional benefits: No VED car tax or London congestion charge. Further tax benefits include no benefit In Kind tax (fuel and car) for company car user-choosers and no National Insurance Contributions for fleet managers.