11:20 am, January 23, 2013
NISSAN has slashed £2,500 off the list price of its Leaf electric car, now from £23,495.
The change comes as part of a global effort to make the Leaf more affordable in the pioneering electric vehicle’s three main markets of Japan, Europe and the United States.
In addition to the reduction in the retail price, UK customers can also benefit from offers including low rate finance. The new price is effective immediately, ahead of the arrival of an updated version of the Leaf.
This is on top of the incentive offered by the government and means a customer can drive away in a brand new Leaf for £23,490, or just £239 per month.
The drop in price hasn’t come at the expense of equipment, however – the Leaf still comes a whole range of standard equipment including satellite navigation incorporating Carwings, Nissan’s telematics system which allows an owner to control the heating and air conditioning settings and to monitor the charging process remotely via a smart phone. Other standard equipment includes a rear-view parking camera, rapid charge capability, ‘Intelligent Key’, LED headlamps and Bluetooth connectivity.
Paul Willcox, senior vice president, Nissan Europe, said: ‘There is no doubt that Nissan Leaf is a revolution and existing customers are passionate in their belief that zero-emission mobility is not the future, but is here now.
‘Nissan’s objective for Leaf has always been to bring zero-emission mobility within reach of the mass-market. Our price reduction underlines that commitment and with no price premium even more motorists will become believers.’
Production of the updated model is due to start at Nissan European plant in Sunderland, UK, in Spring 2013.
