Nissan seems to be the first of the EV manufacturers to realise that overpriced EV cars are not selling even though subsidised by the UK tax payer and reducing the price of the all-electric Nissan LEAF by £2,500. 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. In addition to the new price LEAF buyers will also benefit from extremely low running costs, with a battery recharge costing a fraction of the cost of a tank of fuel. Being fully electric, the LEAF also benefits from zero road tax and is currently exempt for company car ‘benefit-in-kind’ tax. An ever-growing number of public charging points also offer quick and convenient opportunities to top up the battery, including a network of rapid chargers. These allow LEAF drivers to charge from zero to 80% capacity in less than 30 minutes. Winner of the World, European and Japan Car of the Year Awards when it was launched in 2011, about 50,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles have been sold world-wide. The LEAF demonstrates that battery-powered cars are ready to make a significant contribution to a world-wide reduction in vehicle emissions. The Nissan LEAF comes with very high levels of standard equipment. Its standard satellite navigation system incorporates Carwings, Nissan’s unique 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. Nissan LEAF has been granted a top 5 star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. “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,” said Paul Willcox, senior vice president, Nissan Europe. “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. From Motorin News