17.11.2011 LEAF wins two awards at RAC Challenge

The Nissan LEAF completed the 60-mile Brighton to London RAC Future Car Challenge route whilst using just £1.83 worth of energy – helping it to win two awards on the day.

Competing against 49 other cars, the Nissan LEAF won 'The Best Overall Vehicle on Sale at Time of Event' for its low energy consumption, as well as the 'Most Energy Efficient Regular Production Car'.

According to the low emission vehicle research department at London's Imperial College, who worked out the comparative energy use of all competitors across all power sources, the Nissan LEAF cost less than £2 to travel the 60-mile route.

This compared favourably with the best performing petrol, diesel and hybrid engines on the run which used £7.08, £5.70 and £4.00 of energy respectively, making the Nissan LEAF the clear winner. That makes the Nissan LEAF more than twice as cost efficient as its nearest rivals.

"At the outset we predicted that 100% electric cars would use around £1.60 worth of energy to cover the 60-mile route and we weren't far off," explained Dr Ricardo Martinez-Botas from Imperial College London's Department of Mechanical Engineering and one of the Challenge's technical judges.

"By comparing all of these new technologies on an equal basis it gives consumers and companies a chance to decide which one best suits their individual motoring needs," he added.

The methodology to evaluate energy use was achieved by fitting all the cars with data loggers and using sensor technology, developed by researchers from Imperial's Centre for Transport Studies.

"Putting the LEAF's energy consumption into perspective with other power sources was a very useful exercise and one that showed how efficient a 100% electric car can be," said Jerry Hardcastle, Vice President, Vehicle Design and Development at Nissan Technical Centre Europe.

"It is further proof that electric power has its part to play in the global motor industry's aim to drive down CO2 emissions," Hardcastle added.

Adding to an already impressive number of awards and achievements, Nissan were also awarded as the overall winner at LowCVP's Low Carbon Champions Awards ceremony this week for recognition of the LEAF's success and positive impact upon the development of ultra-low carbon vehicles.

With proven low running costs, the LEAF makes financial sense for many potential consumers. Due to its zero tailpipe emissions, it also qualifies for exemption from the London Congestion Charge, zero VED car tax and zero company car tax.

Newspress