All-electric LEAF first for Motability scheme

NISSAN has announced a new first for its LEAF model, which is gaining more and more fans around the UK.

The new LEAF is the first purely electric car to join the Motability Scheme, which gives all 620,000 potential users of the scheme the chance to enjoy zero emission motoring.

For Motability users the UK-built LEAF can be had for a £999 advance payment while for £1,299 in advance customers can upgrade to the Acenta model, which has the car giant’s Carwings telematics system and features such as automatic lights and wipes, colour reversing camera and cruise control. And for a little extra, £1,999 in fact, the top of the range Tekna model can be ordered. This adds Bose audio, 360-degree Around View Monitor and leather heated seats.

Whichever LEAF model customers ultimately choose, they can look forward to waving goodbye to petrol stations and saying hello to instantaneous power delivery and a peaceful driving experience. A full charge on the LEAF gives up to 124 miles range and costs from around £2 (depending upon time of day and tariff) meaning that over a distance of 10,000 miles drivers can expect to save around £1,000 that would otherwise have been spent on the forecourt.

What’s more, British Gas is currently offering a 16Amp data-enabled Home Charging Unit (HCU) which will charge LEAF from empty to full in 8 hours.

Having been designed as a purpose-built electric vehicle from the ground up, the neat packaging of its lithium-ion batteries means there is no compromise on boot space; in fact, with 370 litres on Visia and Acenta grades it has more luggage space than a Ford Focus.

Nissan cars are a popular choice on the Motability Scheme with a range well suited to a variety of mobility needs. The introduction of the new LEAF brings something fresh and innovative to the scheme’s existing customers, combining the practicality of a normal medium hatchback with running costs that are a fraction of the price of a petrol or diesel car of its size.

The Motability Scheme is directed and overseen by Motability, a national charity, and enables those people receiving the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement to lease a vehicle through the scheme.

As a Motability Premier Partner, each of Nissan’s 200 plus dealerships has a minimum of two trained Motability sales and aftersales specialists who will use their Motability Scheme experience with Juke, Micra, Note, NV200 Combi, Qashqai and Qashqai+2 to discuss options with interested customers.

Jon Pollock, Nissan GB sales director said: “We’re proud that the Nissan LEAF has delivered another first ahead of its rivals to become the first 100 per cent electric car on the Motability Scheme. With a starting Advance Payment of just £999 and Motability Scheme specialists at each of our dealerships, getting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and enjoying low running costs has never been easier.”

http://www.nissan.co.uk/GB/en/vehicle/electric-vehicles/leaf.html?cid=ps-63_309110