Nissan LEAF order book opens today (UK)

Nissan has flung open its order books for the LEAF EV with a website devoted to deal with preliminary deposits.

If you click your way to www.nissan.co.uk/leafreservation, consumers can register their interest in the LEAF by paying a £257 refundable deposit. They will then get to test-drive a LEAF by the end of this year, at which point they will need to officially confirm their order. The Nissan LEAF will cost £23,990 when it goes on sale in February 2011.

Paul Willcox, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: 'The Leaf is generating huge interest across the world, with more than 25,000 customers already putting down deposits in the U.S and Japan. We know that the benefits of electric mobility have struck a chord with motorists in the UK and initial interest across retail and fleet channels could result in demand outstripping initial supply.'

Even though the website has been live for a few hours, Nissan UK said response has been brilliant with first orders outstripping expectations. Nissan is refusing to confirm the exact number of LEAFs that have been allocated for UK customers next year, but a spokesperson said it would be 'in the low thousands'.

Oh, by the way, if you’re wondering why Nissan UK specifically chose the price of £257 for the deposit, it’s because that is the amount it expects customers to spend annually charging their car.