“The arrival of the Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, all-electric car, in Europe is a landmark day for Nissan and European transport. The Nissan LEAF has rightly been described as a “technological masterpiece” and is a genuine alternative to petrol and diesel cars in terms of style, features, safety, performance and handling,” said Gerard O’Toole, Executive Chairman, Nissan Ireland. “We are delighted that the first European LEAF customer is from Ireland and we look forward to seeing many more LEAFs on Irish roads in the coming years,” he added.

The Nissan LEAF, which was voted 2011 European Car of the Year, is priced at €29,995 after government incentives, including the battery. This means that despite its advanced technology, the LEAF will be no more expensive to buy – and considerably cheaper to run – than a conventional compact family hatchback. Running costs are anticipated at less than €1.20 per 100km in Ireland, representing an almost 80% saving on an average 1.5 litre diesel family car.

The LEAF is fully equipped with features such as climate control, satellite navigation and a parking camera. Innovative smart phone connectivity will allow an owner to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via a mobile phone.

The car’s AC motor develops 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of more than 140km/hr. With the ability to carry five passengers up to 175km under the New European Driving Cycle, the LEAF’s arrival in Europe marks a significant development in the environmentally-friendly, cost-efficient options available for motorists. The zero-emission car is currently built in Japan, but will be manufactured in Sunderland in the UK from 2013.

In March 2010, ESB installed the first on-street charge points in Dublin and they are now being deployed in other locations across the country. The target for the end of 2011 is to have 2000 home charge units installed, 1500 public charge points available across Ireland and fast charge points every 60km on every major national route installed.

REAL IRISH HISTORY

Nissan Ireland also announced that the Nissan LEAF will be the official car of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival – meaning that the LEAF is truly a green car in every sense!!

Irish customers have been able to pre-order the Nissan LEAF since August 2010 ahead of next month’s start of delivery. Pre-orders for the Nissan LEAF, which is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery, have reached more than 27,000 units globally.

The Nissan LEAF can be seen this coming weekend, Friday 18^th – Sunday 20^th, at Manor Retail Park and Randles Bros Tralee. Paula Luck will be receiving the keys of the first Nissan LEAF in Randles on Monday 21^st.

Established in 1921, Randles Bros have always been at the forefront of motoring in Kerry. Main Nissan dealers in both Killarney and Tralee, they recently opened a new ‘state of the art’ Sales and Service centre at Manor West Retail Park, Tralee, and are a registered electric vehicle dealer for Nissan.

Ms Luck, who lives just outside Tralee, is a busy mother of four who will be swapping her Nissan Figaro for the LEAF, which she will use not only to get the family around, but also for work. As Clinical Director of the Kerry-based company Health Direct, Paula’s role requires her to visit clients and carry out health screening assessments both in Kerry and across the country.   Paula feels the Nissan LEAF will suit her driving requirements and is looking forward to the savings she’s going to make on running costs.

ESB ecars is installing a charge point in both Paula’s home and workplace. A public charge point has been installed at the Brandon Hotel in the heart of Tralee town centre with plans for more charge point locations in Killarney, Kenmare, Killorglin, Sneem, Caherciveen, Listowel, Castleisland over the coming months. A fast charge point will also be located in the Tralee/Killarney area in the near future.

The Nissan LEAF officially goes on sale in Ireland from St Patrick’s Day.

For more information on LEAF and Nissan Ireland Electric Vehicle dealers, please visit:

www.nissan.ie/NissanLeaf

For more information contact:

Paul O’Sullivan

Marketing Director, Nissan Ireland

posullivan@nissan.ie