Richard Yarrow’s opinion for www.startrescue.co.uk, providing low cost Vehicle Recovery cover.

You are probably visiting the StartRescue website because you’re searching for a good deal on car breakdown cover. But if you are at all interested in motoring matters generally, I would urge you to spend a little time finding out more about the Nissan Leaf. I have mentioned this pioneering vehicle in the blog before – and recently drove it for the first time – but its list of awards now extends to World Car of the Year (WCOTY). This prestigious honour, the highest in motoring, is voted for by 66 car journalists from 24 countries across the globe, and was announced at the New York Motor Show last week. It’s the cherry on what has been an astonishing debut for the Leaf.

What’s so special about it? In short, it’s the first affordable, mass-market, electric vehicle, and as such has secured its place in the history books.

To win WCOTY, the Leaf beat off some serious competition from the likes of the BMW 5-Series and Audi A8. These are seriously good new cars, yet the Leaf’s mix of advanced technology and driveability won out. The jurors described the Leaf as “the gateway to a brave new electric world” and concluded “it feels just like a normal car, only quieter”.

The UK is going to play a significant role in the future of the Leaf. Not only are we one of the select markets where the car is already on sale, priced £23,000, but it’s going to be built here as well. Nissan bosses have already announced the Sunderland plant will be turning out Leafs from early 2013. Need something to talk about at the pub tonight? Visit www.nissan.co.uk/leaf and learn more.

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