MotorMartin is in the very fortunate position of being able to drive a number of different cars with a number of different power trains and yet a Nissan LEAF has not yet been present in the car park here at MotorMartin Towers. This is clearly an oversite as it would appear that the Nissan’s main issue, that of range, looks to have been steadily improving over the last few years. So much so that there have been a number of stories recently showing this aspect of the LEAF. One such news article arriving at MotorMartin Towers was, News: PLUG IN ADVENTURES COMPLETES NORTH COAST 500 – A 516-MILE JOURNEY AROUND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS IN THE NEW LEAF 30KWH which showed how, with careful planning, range anxiety shouldn’t be an issue any longer.
And now, news has arrived at the top floor of MotorMartin Towers that the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF has taken to the roads of Europe for an all-electric Grand Tour, travelling across Europe’s most breath-taking rural and coastal driving routes.
Nissan have shared with MotorMartin that this epic journey saw the Nissan LEAF take on six of the most beautiful drives in Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway, Scotland and France; including Italy’s iconic Mount Etna and historic cities, such as Granada, Spain, and Marseille, France.
The improvements made by Nissan to the LEAF’s battery capacity and therefore range, are clear to see as the new LEAF 30 kWh journeyed over 400 miles (650km) on an adventure to visit Europe’s most spectacular destinations, showcasing its low running costs of just £2.50 (€3) per 62 miles (100 km).
Across Europe, Nissan say, 54 percent of drivers would prefer to travel by car rather than by any other form of transport, but with many concerned about the cost of fuel, Nissan are proud to state that they have proven itself to be the ultimate travel companion.
With the LEAF’s 30 kWh battery now offering 155 miles (250 km) in driving range* and as many as 2,800 quick chargers installed across Europe, driving a zero-emission car is more practical and enjoyable than ever before, giving EV drivers total peace of mind to enjoy longer cross country drives.
Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, explained to MotorMartin that: “The Nissan LEAF is much more than just a city car and is an ideal zero-emission solution. With five seats and 370 litres standard luggage capacity, the Nissan LEAF 30 kWh is perfect for those long family getaways this summer. LEAF’s low running costs and quiet drivetrain make family holidays cheaper and more peaceful than ever before.”
“What’s more, the Grand Tour demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to our vision for intelligent mobility, showing how innovative technologies are helping to integrate EVs into modern family life.”
Nissan feel that they have pioneered the EV movement with the introduction of the world’s first mass-market EV, the Nissan LEAF, in 2010, a statement that’s difficult to argue against in MotorMartin’s opinion and since then, it has gone on to sell over 228,000LEAFs globally. And now, more than 59,000 of these gracing the roads of Europe, making it the world’s best ever selling electric vehicle.
The 30KwH Nissan LEAF starts from £25,230, for more information about Nissan’s electric vehicle range, nissan.co.uk
Well done then Nissan, the latest LEAF 30 kWh is another step in the right direction and if we also consider the rapidly expanding number of Quick Chargers springing up across Europe, then it becomes clear that the mass-market EV can now be considered to be a solution to the ever dwindling supply of fossil fuels.
It’s well worth checking out the short film below, provided by Nissan Europe from their excellent YouTube channel, which gives us a brief glimpse of this impressive new LEAF 30 kWh.
Where will you go?