Nissan LEAF makes strides in SA
Launched at the buzzing 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show (Jims) in October, the all-electric, best-selling Nissan LEAF electric vehicle (EV) is already making inroads in the South African motor industry.
Nissan South Africa’s chief marketing manager for Electric Vehicles and New Technology, Ross Garvie says, “The reaction of both the media and general public at Jims was overwhelmingly positive and it’s clear to see that the South African public is ready to begin adopting this new form of mobility. This is in line with other global markets where LEAF is already extremely popular – for example last month it was Norway’s best-selling vehicle overall.
“We are the first manufacturer to retail an EV in South Africa and after meticulous planning and strategic pilot programmes involving Eskom, the Technology Innovation Agency and Department of Environmental Affairs, we believe the Nissan LEAF is reaching the eco-conscious South African consumer at the right time.
“Add to this the overall low cost of ownership and maintenance costs, and the fact that LEAF is available as an outright buy rather than on a lease scheme, the revolutionary Nissan LEAF is a strikingly attractive alternative to conventional petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles.”
Having sold over 87 000 units worldwide and travelled over 472 500 000km with zero tailpipe emissions in the process, the Nissan LEAF is the embodiment of Nissan’s mantra, ‘Innovation that Excites’. The Nissan LEAF is also the world’s most popular EV by far and has received numerous accolades including the 2011 European Car of the Year award, 2011-2012 Japanese Car of the Year accolade and the 2011 World Car of the Year title.
The fully electric drivetrain which features a 24kWh Lithium-ion battery pack linked to a front-mounted 80kW electric motor allows for smooth and silent driving. A punchy 254Nm of torque is also available and, thanks to the electric motor’s on or off nature, the torque kicks in the moment the throttle pedal is depressed for unprecedented driveability in all situations.
A switchable eco-driving mode is available as standard which reduces throttle sensitivity and mimics the driving characteristics of conventional vehicles while also encouraging economical driving habits to maximise the batteries’ driving range.
Keeping the batteries topped up is also a simple, cost-effective and technologically-advanced process, a fully-charged battery pack able to power the Nissan LEAF up to 195km. Either via a home charge unit – which is supplied with the Nissan LEAF on purchase and allows the vehicle to fully charge conveniently overnight from empty in eight hours directly from the main electricity supply – or via a quick charge unit located at one of the nine Nissan LEAF dealers in Gauteng which form part of phase one of Nissan LEAF roll-out in South Africa.
It is available through selected Nissan dealers in Gauteng for R446 000 and comes standard with a 3-year/100 000km mechanical warranty and 3-year/90 000km service plan.
