Nissan Leaf celebrates its first birthday

One year ago today, Nissan began deliveries of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF in the UK.
 
Electronics engineer Richard Todd and Smooth Radio DJ Mark Goodier were the first customers in the country to take delivery of their Nissan LEAFs at Glyn Hopkin Nissan in Waltham Abbey, Hertfordshire.
 
After living with his LEAF for the last 12 months, silicon chip designer Richard commented: “We've clocked up around 8,000 miles in our LEAF with a mixture of commuting to work and taking the children to and from their various activities. At the weekend there's often even more ferrying to be done - we can easily clock up over two hours of short trips around town on a Saturday, so that's quite a reduction in emissions over a conventional car.”
 
“The LEAF works great for our family and often we are carrying five people. The children like their high seating position, the tinted rear windows and the USB music player. I've found the instant (and silent) acceleration makes the car easy and relaxing to drive.  For me, there's been no downside to driving a LEAF - I don't think we've ever come close to running the battery flat!”
 
Mark Goodier was so impressed with his LEAF that he bought a second one just weeks later.  He commented: “We love our LEAFs, they are working very well for us. We still think they are the best in the class.”
 
Since deliveries started last March, Nissan has expanded the LEAF dealer network from 26 to 32 dealerships and plans are underway to increase this to 150 by the end of 2012.  Nissan is currently working with partners to create a ‘charging pathway’ across the UK motorway network using quick chargers that the company is donating. These chargers can charge the advanced lithium ion batteries in Nissan LEAF from 0 to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes.
 
LEAF owners can compare their own ‘eco driving’ style against other owners in the UK, across Europe and globally using Nissan’s sophisticated on-board IT and telematics system, CARWINGS.