At the ongoing New York Auto Show, Nissan’s zero emission electric car, the Leaf was named the 2011 World Car of the Year. The Leaf edged past the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8 for the top spot. The Leaf, arguably the world’s first affordable and practical fully electric car has one numerous other accolades including the European Car of the Year.
The 5-seater, 5-door hatchback has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge and takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply. The World Car of the Year panel comprises of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.
Nissan LEAF is available in Japan, the United States and select European markets and will be released in other global markets in 2012. Aiming to be the world leader in zero-emission vehicles, Nissan, with its Alliance partner, Renault, has formed partnerships with more than 90 governments, cities and other organizations around the world not only to develop and produce EV and lithium-ion batteries but also to promote sustainable mobility. Nissan is also taking a comprehensive approach to encourage to the world to more sustainable mobility such as improvement of charging service, infrastructure deployment, the promotion of the use of recycled materials and overall energy management system including second-life use of lithium-ion batteries.
“It is a great joy that the world’s first, mass-marketed electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, has won the prestigious award of 2011 World Car of the Year,” said Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “This accolade recognizes Nissan LEAF, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, as comparable in its driving performance, quietness and superb handling to gas-powered cars. And it validates Nissan’s clear vision and the values of sustainable mobility that we want to offer to customers around the world.”