Nissan Leaf wins European Car of the Year

Date: 25/1/2011

The 100 per cent electric vehicle the Nissan Leaf has been named as the European Car of the Year for 2011.

Motoring journalists from across 23 countries on the continent formed the judging panel that selected the green vehicle to receive the accolade and placed the Leaf ahead of six "conventional" motors on the shortlist, according to Nissan.

As a result, the car has become the first electric vehicle to win the award in the ceremony's 47-year history.

Hakan Matson, President of the jury, told attendees of the ceremony, held in Pavillion Gabriel in Paris, that he was "convinced" another electric car would win the gong in the future, but that as the first, the Leaf would always be special.

Meanwhile, Nissan Motor's President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn said: "[The Leaf] stands apart as an innovative car that reflects a clear vision of the future of transportation - a vision of sustainable mobility."

Neil Wallis, Head of Communications at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, recently predicted that electric vehicles will experience an increase in popularity in the UK this year.

Posted by Nick Anderson