NISSAN has powered-up to the call for electric mobility with the introduction of the Leaf which has just topped up its run of accolades with the Ultra Low Carbon Award in the What Car? Car of the Year honours for 2011.
The Leaf, already the European Car of the Year, is the company's first mass-production 100% electric car which stacks up as a sensible family buy with plenty of space, lots of gizmos, good build quality and low running costs.
These awards are a significant step in the acceptance of fully electric cars into the mainstream of the UK market.
The Leaf is set for a big future. Nissan research has found that 80% of daily driving in Britain is below 30 miles, and with the LEAF's ability to carry five passengers up to 109 miles, it marks a major development in the environmentally-friendly, cost efficient options available for motorists.
Orders for the Leaf opened last September ahead of deliveries from March. It is priced at £23,990 including the government's EV grant.
Nissan has a fine reputation in the world of small cars, with the neat little Pixo, the popular Micra, and the trendy Cube all rubbing shoulders in the showroom.
Another sector in which Nissan is strong is the world of the Crossover with the new Juke, the latest version of the successful Qashqai and luxurious Murano all taking centre stage.
And when the going gets tough Nissan has a range of 4x4s including the X-Trail, the Pathfinder and Navara pick-up.
On the performance front, Nissan sports cars have been hailed for their true wow-factor. They include the 370Z and its cabriolet variant and the stunning new GT-R.