THERE’S been a lot of hype of late about new electric and plug-in hybrid models hitting the UK market.
If you switched on your TV in February you couldn’t have helped but notice big-money advertising campaigns promoting the merits of the assorted newcomers.
So, in the face of such media bombardment, it’s really pleasing to see that the Nissan LEAF – the car that really pioneered EV technology in the first place – has underlined its market leader status and continues to pull away from the chasing pack.
Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the LEAF clocked up an impressive 230 sales in January – a new record.
That’s more than 1,000 per cent up on the same time last year and shows beyond doubt that the LEAF remains the motorist’s clear favourite and, if anything, is only getting stronger as more and more challengers enter the fray.
And so, it’s worth reminding ourselves (and our potential customers, of course) just what a fantastic halo model we have on our hands and why it’s streets ahead of the opposition.
Put simply, it’s a brilliant car!
Practicality
The Nissan LEAF is a practical and spacious everyday family hatchback.
There’s room for five adults and, crucially, it’s got five doors meaning those adults can get in and out easily. Some others on the market, such as the i3, can only accommodate four people and has a very unusual and much less practical four-door configuration that means the back doors can only be opened once the front doors are open.
The LEAF’s also got a really decent sized boot that can easily cope with the demands of most every lifestyle.
Affordability
With running costs of just two-pence per mile, it’s hard to argue against the cost merits of the LEAF.
And when charging for free using Ecotricity’s Electric Highway or Nissan dealerships, for example, it’s possible to eliminate even that cost.
Why would someone pay an additional £3,000 to add a range-extending engine its own makers say they will never need when they could charge for free on the Ecotricity Electric Highway and at Nissan dealers?
The biggest charging network
Potential EV customers often cite charging infrastructure as a barrier to purchase. Well, the LEAF has the biggest charging network of all and it’s growing every day. There are now 1,000 CHAdeMO rapid chargers across Europe – 18 per cent of them right here in the UK – and, very soon, virtually every motorway service station in the country will have one.
Rapid chargers are also installed and readily accessible at many Nissan dealerships nationwide and household names like IKEA and Waitrose have been busy adding charge points of their own, making recharging a LEAF evermore practical.
No compromise
The LEAF is no gimmick. It’s a real world option for many motorists, no matter where in the country they live.
It’s available with everything from leather seats to a Bose sound system. Ownership requires absolutely no compromise or adjustment.
The only thing drivers need to get used to is plugging it in rather than standing in line at a filling station.
- Paul O’Neill is category manager: electric vehicles at Nissan Motor GB Limited.