Nissan celebrates with more than 60,000 U.S. LEAF owners during "National Drive Electric Week"

PRESS KIT: 2015 Nissan LEAF

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – More than 60,000 U.S. consumers have "kicked gas" and are now driving the all-electric Nissan LEAF. To celebrate National Drive Electric Week, held Sept. 15-21, Nissan is the exclusive automotive sponsor for more than 130 grassroots events scheduled for markets across the U.S. and abroad.

National Drive Electric Week, formerly National Plug In Day, started in 2011 as a series of local events aimed at spreading the word about plug-in vehicles. The annual event, which is organized by Plug In America, Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association, attracted more than 35,000 participants at nearly 100 local gatherings in 2013.

"With more than 60,000 U.S. sales and 50 percent market share among pure EVs this year, Nissan is the natural sponsor of National Drive Electric Week," said Toby Perry, Nissan's director of Electric Vehicle Marketing. "At events across the country, drivers of Nissan LEAF and other electric cars will get together to spread the word about the benefits of driving electric – lower operating costs, zero tailpipe emissions and they are just fun to drive."

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Nissan LEAF sales are up 34 percent in 2014, and August was the best month on record with 3,186 vehicles sold. Nissan is finding more buyers in markets across the U.S. such as Washington, D.C., Boston, Salt Lake City and others due in large part to owner advocacy.

"LEAF owners have become our most effective marketers. Their enthusiasm for their LEAF and its benefits drives family, friends and co-workers to consider and purchase one for themselves," said Perry. "This has a viral effect, where one LEAF sale in a neighborhood or office often triggers several additional sales."

Among the local events is Huntington Beach, California, where Nissan will showcase the BladeGlider sports concept that features a radical front narrow track layout, where the front is significantly narrower than the rear, creating a swept-wing profile when seen from directly above the vehicle.

In Cupertino, California, Nissan will display the all-electric e-NV200 compact cargo vehicle, which is currently part of a one-year trial program in various cities across the U.S. The e-NV200 is already on sale in European markets.

About Nissan LEAF
With about 135,000 global sales since launch, Nissan LEAF is the world's top-selling electric vehicle. LEAF seats up to five passengers and boasts an estimated driving range on a fully-charged battery of 84 miles and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined.  The effective price of a Nissan LEAF starts at about $23,000 after the available $7,500 federal tax credit, while providing the benefits of lower running costs and less scheduled maintenance. 

LEAF is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery and an 80kW motor that provides a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience.

The all-electric Nissan LEAF is offered in three trim levels, and shoppers can choose from a variety of available premium features such as leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, 7-speaker BOSE® energy efficient audio system and a 6.6 kW onboard charger that significantly reduces 220V charging times.

About National Drive Electric Week
National Drive Electric Week, founded by Plug In America, is a free coast-to-coast celebration designed to showcase the fun, convenience, clean-air benefits and cost-savings of plug-in vehicles through ride and drives and related activities. Formerly called National Plug In Day, the event launched in 2011 in 29 cities. The fourth annual observance, which has more than quadrupled in size, will take place in over 130 cities in 35 states and abroad, just as plug-in vehicle sales have reached their first quarter-million mark in the U.S. National Drive Electric Week's national organizers are Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association, who team up with local groups from Hawaii to Vermont. For city-by-city details, visit driveelectricweek.org.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. 

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

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Contact

Brian Brockman
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Office: 615-725-1447
E-mail: brian.brockman@nissan-usa.com