NISSAN today announced its next moves in the EV revolution.
The company’s ambitious programme will kick as production of the all-electric hatchback at the company’s Sunderland plant moves ever closer.
The plans focus on improving the environment for electric vehicles and will see the LEAF sold in more markets, by more dealers, with a radically-improved quick-charging network.
Paul Willcox, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing in Europe, said: ‘This is a big year for the Nissan LEAF in Europe and we are committed to creating an environment for electric mobility to thrive across the continent.
‘2011 was a huge year for us and with all of these significant and tangible improvements to infrastructure, dealer network, incentives and production we are looking forward to significant growth in the lead-up to European production.’
This year, Nissan will radically increase the number of dealers selling the LEAF in Europe, making it accessible to many consumers for the first time.
Willcox added: ‘Today the LEAF is on sale in 14 markets across Europe, with a total of 110 dealers. By the end of March 2013, that will have dramatically increased almost ten-fold, with more than 1,000 dealers actively marketing the LEAF.
‘All Nissan dealers will be equipped with charging points thus expanding the charging infrastructure for LEAF drivers. By 2013, the Nissan LEAF will be available for sale in 24 European markets.’
Courtesy vehicles
In advance of this there will be a significant increase in the availabilty of the LEAF at dealers with more than 700 dealers in Europe offering customers a chance to experience LEAF by the end of April 2012. The scheme will continue to develop during the next 12 months, adding to the number of demonstration and courtesy vehicles available to customers across Europe.
This month will see an innovative online focussed campaign centred around the Nissan LEAF – 100 days to convert the maximum number of people to 100 per cent electric driving – taking the car to a whole new audience and introducing them to its unique benefits.
Alongside this will be a new brand advertising campaign, which will have the Nissan LEAF as the ultimate demonstration of Nissan’s innovation, putting the car on television for the first time in many markets.
Production of the LEAF’s batteries at Sunderland begins this year, with full production of the multi-award-winning car starting there in 2013.