Nissan Welcomes Extension Of Plug-In Car Grant

MAPLE CROSS, UNITED KINGDOM – Jan 18, 2012: Nissan welcomes today’s announcement by the Government to extend the Plug-in Car Grant to motorists buying a new electric vehicle. The grant now applies to vans, giving buyers 20% – up to £8000 – off the price of an electric van.

This announcement comes at a time when Nissan is conducting real-world tests of a prototype zero-emission all-electric delivery vehicle in London. FedEx Express and Nissan are collaborating over a two month period to evaluate how the NV200 electric vehicle (EV) prototype copes with the rigours of daily duties in the capital.

James Wright, Managing Director at Nissan Motor (GB) Limited said: “Today’s announcement reinforces the Government’s commitment to improving air quality in cities and reducing carbon emissions.

“This grant, coupled with lower running costs and tax benefits, will make switching to an electric van a very attractive option for businesses.”

The Nissan LEAF, the world’s first mass produced 100% electric vehicle, on sale since March 2011, qualifies for the £5000 grant for electric cars.

Nissan recently announced that it will start producing the LEAF at its Sunderland plant from 2013, with an initial capacity of 50,000 vehicles. The plant will also start producing batteries for the LEAF in early 2012. The battery and LEAF projects represent a total investment by Nissan of £420m and these are expected to maintain about 2,250 jobs at Nissan and across the UK supply chain.

The electric version of the NV200 van will go on sale in early 2013.