Review Car

European Car of the Year Award Goes to Nissan Leaf

Recently, the Chevrolet Volt has been in the news, giving it more publicity and attention. However, much similar to the Volt, is the Nissan Leaf, which has been awarded a prestigious award. The Nissan Leaf was given the European Car of the Year award. This may seem like nothing, however, it is the first time in the entire history of the award that it has went to an electric car.

The Leaf beat out around forty other contenders for the award, which says something about how professionals are viewing the car. They are holding the Leaf up to the same standards as other competitors, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Volvo S60. This shows that the electric car has the same safety standards in place, the same amount of power and the same degree as handling as more mainstream cars. Could this be the one thing that sets the market for electric cars into motion?

Professionals are hoping that as they point out just how electric cars such as the Leaf are just the same as other vehicles, with the added benefit of using hardly any fuel that this will encourage consumers to purchase one. However, they are not considering the price of these new electric concept cars. Most are going to go for around $40,000. Considering that the economy is in a slump, many people are only making that much a year, thus they are out of the running to purchase these vehicles, even though the break that they would get from rising fuel costs would be most beneficial to them of all people.

The Leaf is set to release in the United States during this month, however, the European market will not see the Leaf until some time next year. Though, it is sure to be an anticipated event, one has to wonder if the electric car concept is going to go over as well with the public as it has with car professionals.