It’s no real surprise to MotorMartin that Nissan’s all-electric range, comprising the LEAF and e-NV200 LCV, are continuing to dominate their respective segments with strong sales performances this November. After all, Nissan can probably be considered to be the first manufacturer to bring one of the first mainstream electric cars to market, a vehicle that offered a truly car like driving experience for their customers.
Nissan have confirmed to MotorMartin that customer demand for the LEAF ensured the model remained the UK’s best-selling 100% electric vehicle in November, with a share of 47.3% – up 30.4% on the same month in 2015. The next best-seller was the Tesla Model S (a car in a significantly higher price bracket) with a 19.9% share.
In fact, LEAF sales last month were over double that of last year (+115%), which made it the fastest growing model in the competitive C-segment in November. Impressive indeed.
And in further good news for the company, Nissan’s e-NV200 also remains the UK’s best-selling electric van, accounting for more than three in four (75.4%) of electric LCV sales in November.
Edward Jones, EV Manager, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd., shared with MotorMartin that; ‘The economic and environmental benefits of EV ownership are becoming increasingly attractive to drivers and we’re seeing that convert directly into demand for Nissan’s EV models. With driving costs around 85% less than petrol or diesel cars; maintenance around 75% cheaper; free Congestion charge and free parking in some cities, not to mention convenient home charging, it’s hardly surprising many are making the switch.’
EV owners, MotorMartin has been told, are also not concerned about driving up high mileages in their vehicles. Owners of the Nissan LEAF travel more than 50 percent further per year (10,307 miles) than the European average for a petrol/diesel vehicle (6,721 miles) and 30 percent further than the UK average (7,900 miles*).
‘We’re also seeing increased consumer awareness and interest in new technologies entering the market to accompany electric vehicles, such as Vehicle To Grid (V2G). This innovative system, under our Intelligent Mobility platform, will let users power their homes during peak periods with the remaining charge in their EV’s battery, then recharge their EV using cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs. Or sell the power back to the grid to generate revenue from their car.’
‘As the first manufacturer to introduce a mass-produced electric vehicle, and with more EV sales than any other car brand worldwide, it’s right Nissan should continue to lead the EV charge and further integrate EV technology into the infrastructure and society. With a spike in other manufacturers now getting behind 100% electric power, 2017 could be the year of the electric vehicle.’
And MotorMartin certainly wouldn’t disagree with that sentiment. Role on 2017 I say.
Where will you go?