Nissan LEAF (Japan, 2009-present)

Nissan Leaf is a vehicle 100% electric, the world's first mass-marketed, affordable, zero-emission car. It includes air conditioning, satellite navigation, a parking camera, a quick charge socket and innovative smart-phone connectivity.

First presented by Carlos Ghosn, president of the Nissan and Renault, on the inauguration of the new Japanese headquarters at Yokohama, the Leaf is powered by a front-mounted electric motor that gets its energy from a 86 megajoules (24 kW·h) lithium ion battery pack rated to deliver up to 90 kilowatts (120 hp) of power.

Nissan Leaf has been awarded with the 2011 European Car of the Year a prize that is an historic moment both for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and zero emission vehicles.

The Nissan LEAF received, as first fully electric vehicle, a five-star safety rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

The hatchback scored 89% for adult safety, 83% for child protection and an 84% rating for its on-board safety assist system. It also scored 65% for pedestrian safety, which is considered higher-than-average, due to its low nose design and comparative lack of ‘hard points' under the bonnet. The LEAF’s 48 lithium-ion batteries completely withstood all impacts from the front and side that form part of Euro NCAP’s standard testing procedures.