Irish consumers will be among the first in Europe to get their chance to see and test-drive the zero-emission Nissan Leaf EV car next month, writes Trish Whelan.
Following the official launch, the car will then embark upon a Roadshow Tour of the country for the month of August where it will be on display at various venues around the country including:
Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dublin, Friday 6 August and Saturday 7 August; Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork, Friday 13 August; Headford Road Shopping Centre, Galway, Sunday 15 August
The price of the Leaf after Government incentives will be €29,995 in Ireland including the battery. Running costs are anticipated at less €1.20 per 100km in Ireland representing almost an 80% saving on an average 1.5 diesel family car.
You can reserve a test drive in the Leaf at each of the display venues over the course of the month of August.
The car is fully equipped with features like air conditioning, satellite navigation and a parking camera. And you can heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via a mobile phone.
The electric motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque and has a maximum speed of more than 140km/h (90mph). The electric motor is 'fuelled' by a laminated lithium-ion battery with a power output of more than 90 kW.
A full charge delivers a potential range of 160km which will satisfy the daily driving demands of most customers.
The first cars will begin arriving in Ireland next February.