THIS is, depending on how you look it, a multiple award-winner that'll start a revolution in motoring or a flop in the making.
It's not unfair to say that Nissan's LEAF, winner of both the European and World car of the year awards this year, is the first electric car to get taken seriously by the motoring press. It's also got the Government's blessing, because they'll give you a whopping £5,000 off as part of efforts to wean you away from petrol and diesel. Getting this car right isn't just good for Nissan, then. It's good for saving the ice caps and mending the ozone layer too.
It's just a shame then that this all-important car isn't going to woo with its looks, which is important because a lots of people do buy cars on style alone. I admire Nissan for avoiding the electric car cliches and going for the classic five door hatchback look, but to my mind at least the fresh-looking front end is ruined by a rear that's strangely proportioned and hard to get used to.
The inside's far better, thanks to a great use of colour coordination, a suitably futuristic dashboard and a feeling of general solidity and safety boosted by its 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Roomy, robust and a nice place to be, it's somewhere you'd happily stay even after the battery's run out.
Obviously you don't get your characteristic petrol throb or diesel rattle when you start it up, but the great thing about the noise the Leaf makes is that there isn't any. All you can hear is the roar of the tyres, which you won't notice because you'll be busy wondering why you can't feel the weight of the batteries in the steering or handling. Make no mistake, this is one cleverly-engineered car.
Sure, there's the issue of range - 100 miles, if you're asking - but if you only ever do short trips, like lots of people I know, then it's unlikely you'll notice.
It's tricky to say how much it costs to fill up - it depends on whether you have Economy 7 or not - but the smart money says it'll cost you about 2p a mile in fuel, compared to around 15p for a small petrol car.
But as always there's a price to pay for being ahead of the pack - which is the price. At £23,990, the LEAF isn't rubbing shoulders with Focuses and Astras, but 3 Series BMWs and Golf GTis, and that's after the Government discount.
It's an impressive car but to buy it you'd have to be someone who either has a second car for longer journeys, or just really, really want one.
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