• First electric vehicle to win the prestigious award
• Car and batteries to be built in Britain from 2013
• UK deliveries start in March, priced at £23,990

Nissan Leaf lifts prestigious CoTY award for 2011

Since my last post yesterday, I have received the historic news that the 100% electric Nissan LEAF has been awarded 2011 European Car of the Year. This is fantastic news for Nissan and low emission cars.

The world’s first mass-marketed, affordable, zero-emission vehicle for the global market beat 40 contenders to win motoring’s most important accolade. This is the first time in the 47-year history of the annual competition that the award has gone to an electric vehicle. Nissan LEAF’s rivals included vehicles from brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volvo. The jury included 57 leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries.

“The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects,” said Håkan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.

For more information go to www.twitter.com/nissanpr