NEW figures show that Europe’s 41,100 pure-electric Nissan LEAFs have prevented the emission of just under 50 million kg of CO2.
The news comes as Nissan unveils its Global Green Program 2016, with the company highlighting the crucial role of electric vehicles in emissions reduction and protecting the environment and life quality of cities.
Based on current growth figures, it is estimated that by 2050 there will be 2.5 billion vehicles in the world, far outstripping today’s 1 billion. So with CO2 emissions that are currently estimated at 600 million tons worldwide, transport will have an increasingly prominent role in shaping cities.
Figures from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) suggest that putting 1,000 electric vehicles on a city’s streets would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30,000 kg and CO2 emissions by over 2,000 tons per year. It would also significantly reduce noise pollution levels, as Nissan’s zero-emission vehicles – the LEAF, pictured above, and the e-NV200, pictured below – make less noise than a 26-decibel ceiling fan.
Paul Willcox, Chairman for Nissan Europe, said: “With our Global Green Program, Nissan is leading by example. In the last fiscal year, we proposed solutions to reduce CO2 emissions by 50,000 tons.
“It really is possible to put in place efficient and sustainable mobility models which prevent pollutant emissions, protect the environment and also meet the individual, collective and business transport needs of today’s society.
“As a result, Europe’s best-selling pure-electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, and the e-NV200, our zero-emissions van which can be used by a wide range of businesses, offers a fantastic option for people across Europe.”
The efficiency of these models also extends to the financial sphere, since they cut maintenance costs by 40 per cent compared with a vehicle with a conventional combustion engine and reduce spending on fuel by between three and four times, with the cost in electricity standing at between roughly 70p and £1.40 per 100 kilometres depending on the tariff.
To celebrate Bristol being Europe’s Green Capital 2015, Nissan took a tour of the city in a Nissan LEAF, highlighting its green credentials and how vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF can make a huge contribution to “green-ing” cities across Europe. The video of the tour can be seen below:
Total CO2 emissions figures are based on Nissan’s Global Data Center to 31/05/2015. The distance and amount of CO2 are only collected from Nissan LEAFs registered with the CarWings system.