Nissan announced that the brand-new all-electric LEAF is now available for order in Britain starting from £23,990 (including £5,000 government incentive). That sounds like a bargain in comparison to Mitsubishi i-MiEV which starts from £28,990 (before incentives), specially as the LEAF, unlike the i-MiEV, is a proper car and not just a silly urban commuter!

The car’s AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of more than 90mph (i-MiEV 81 mph) and it can travel up to 100 miles (90 miles for the i-MiEV) on a full charge. That should be fairly enough as studies have shown that the average daily mileage for 80 percent of the UK population is less than 30 miles.

Paul Willcox, Managing Director of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: “The Nissan LEAF is a milestone in Nissan’s history. Launching in Japan and the US in the coming weeks and UK, Portugal & Ireland early next year, Nissan is the first manufacturer to bring credible and affordable electric vehicle motoring to the mass market.”

Willcox goes on to explain, “The Nissan LEAF is generating huge interest across the world, with more than 25,000 customers already putting down deposits in the US and Japan. We know that the benefits of electric mobility have struck a chord with motorists in the UK and initial interest across retail and fleet channels could result in demand outstripping initial supply.”