Nissan LEAF wins Europe’s 2011 Car of the Year award

January 27, 2011May 10, 2012 Omar Rana Compact Cars, electric-cars, electric-vehicles, LEAF, Nissan LEAF, Nissan LEAF EV, plug-in hybrids

Nisan LEAF

There is no doubt that the new 2011 Nissan LEAF is a leap in technology when it comes to mass-produced vehicles that are on our roads. With that said, the LEAF has been awarded Europe’s Car of The Year 2011 with the trophy being handed over to Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn in a special ceremony at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris.

The LEAF beat out six conventional new cars after 58 CoTY members, with leading journalists from 23 European countries, voted for the car. This is the first time in the CoTY’s 48-year history that an electric-car has won the award.

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“I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is – and will remain – so very special,” said Hakan Matson, president of the CoTY jury.

Refresher: Power for the Nissan LEAF comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Prices for the 2011 Nissan LEAF will start at $32,780 but with a federal tax-credit prices will come in as low as $25,280, or for a lease payment of $349 a month.