Nissan plans to bring its Leaf electric car to India: Report

Japanese car maker Nissan is reportedly planning to bring its much-acclaimed electric car - Leaf - to India. The automaker plans to work with government agencies and private sector companies this year to study if there is a viable market for electric vehicles in the country, reports said.

According to Nissan officials, the "Nissan Leaf will be part of a pilot project."

The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric, environment-friendly and affordable family car. The compact five-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan was introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010, followed by various European countries and Canada in 2011.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the 2016 model year Leaf with the 30-kWh battery is 172 km on a full battery charge, while the trim with the smaller 24 kWh battery is 135 km, the same as the 2014-15 model year.

The hatchback models can reportedly cover up to 155 miles (250kms). It can be re-charged at home and in western countries, it can also be powered through electric outlets on the road.

Leaf battery packs can be charged from fully discharged to 80 per cent capacity in about 30 minutes using DC fast charging.

Since its inception, more than 250,000 Leafs have been sold worldwide through December 2016, making the Leaf the world's all-time best-selling highway-capable electric car in history. As of December 2016, the United States is the world's largest Leaf market with almost 103,600 sold, followed by Japan with almost 72,500 units, and Europe with almost 68,000.

As of December 2016, the European market is led by Norway with over 19,400 new units registered, and the UK with 15,000 units by mid-September 2016. The Leaf was the world's best-selling plug-in electric car in 2013 and 2014.

As an all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf produces no tailpipe pollution or greenhouse gas emissions at the point of operation, and contributes to reduced dependence on petroleum.
Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan.

India, however, still has considerable way to go before it makes electric-car charging points a common sight on city and highway roads here.