Nissan is to launch a cheaper version of its pioneering Leaf electric car due to a combination of production moving from Japan to Europe and the removal of some equipment.
As production is moving to the firm’s Sunderland plant next year, there will be greater flexibility with specifications.
A Nissan spokesman explained: “We took the car with all the options at £26,990 (after the £5k Government subsidy) because it was coming from Japan, but if you compare that trim level in a Qashqai to an entry-level version, which is £4k cheaper, you might imagine that the Leaf might be available for £4,000 less.
“There are some fleets that just don’t need satnav in the Leaf. For example, British Gas uses it as a pool car between two buildings.”
Meanwhile, firms that were early adopters of the Leaf are “coming back for more” according Nissan. A spokesman added that RV predictors, originally sceptical of the all-electric vehicle, were starting to realise “the car has not blown up”.
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