Portuguese electric mobility consortium MOBI.E took delivery of nine Nissan LEAF electric cars today, becoming the first commercial customer in Europe of the world’s first mass-market 100% electric car.
The keys to the cars were handed over to the CEO’s of the nine companies belonging to the consortium by Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice-president Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Pierre Loing, Vice President Product Strategy & Planning Nissan International SA and Diogo Jardim, Country Director Nissan Iberia SA – Portugal, at a ceremony in Lisbon.
Portugal was the first country in Europe to establish a direct electric car partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance in November 2008, signing an agreement to build a widespread recharging network at Portugal and to promote the benefits of zero emission mobility. MOBI.E, which is installing the network, has already set up charging points in 25 cities across the country Another 1,300 normal chargers and 50 fast chargers will be set up by Summer 2011.
Nissan LEAF, which was recently awarded European Car of the Year 2011, is powered by a compact electric motor, which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops a power output of 109PS and 280Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h. The electric motor is powered by a Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery with an output of more than 90kW. The car has a range of 175 km (New European Driving Cycle) between charges, making it a practical proposition for many urban drivers.
Deliveries to customers have already begun in Japan and the United States while in Europe, deliveries to Portugal, Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands will start in the first quarter of 2011. Production of the car, which is currently being manufactured in Japan, is due to start in Sunderland, in the UK, from early 2013.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
