Leaf electric vehicle launches in Canada

(Nissan)

The all-electric Nissan LEAF vehicle has hit the roads in Canada for the first time.

Two white LEAF vehicles were delivered to a company in Ontario July 28, signalling the start of a roll-out which will give Canadians the chance to drive a mass-market electric car for the first time.

The Leaf has been available in the US since December last year.

A total of 700 Leafs are expected to be available in Canada over the coming year, with dealerships in Vancouver, Quebec, Toronto and Manitoba all expecting to receive the models.

To be eligible to purchase one of the $38,395 vehicles, consumers must live in the vicinity of a dealership in these regions and be registered on the Nissan Leaf website.

The Leaf's entry into Canada comes shortly before the expected introduction of the Chevrolet Volt, the extended-range electric vehicle from General Motors which is set to hit streets in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal and Quebec City this fall.

Nissan also recently announced that sales of the Leaf will begin in Norway this fall, priced from 225,000 NOK ($41,930), making the country the ninth European market to offer the vehicle.

http://www.nissan.ca