Switzerlandhas taken delivery of its first Nissan LEAF, the award-winning 100% electric, zero-emission, compact family hatchback.
Professor Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the influential World Economic Forum, took delivery of the car which is being loaned to the Forum for a year to allow its employees to experience its performance in everyday use.
"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Practical steps and actions are needed to promote energy efficiency or - even better - to implement zero CO2 emission policies. The electric car is a major step towards creating a greener world and the World Economic Forum looks forward to experiencing this new, zero-emission mode of transport with the 100% electric Nissan LEAF," said Professor Schwab.
The World Economic Forum, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1971 and is well-known for its annual meeting in Davos-Klosters which brings together global political and business leaders to discuss the biggest challenges facing the world. Over the years, the Forum's influence has extended to cover a wide range of topics and issues, including the environment. The Forum's environmental initiative addresses the facets of climate change with a view to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
Nissan is also dedicated to reducing greenhouse gases, not just through the development and promotion of electric vehicles, but also by reducing emissions from its conventionally powered cars, its factories around the world and its other activities. The Nissan Green Program in 2010 set a target of 70% reduction in its total emissions by 2050.
"The accolades and awards that have been bestowed on Nissan LEAF show that the world is ready for a reliable and practical electric vehicle that's also exciting to drive. I'm confident Professor Schwab and the employees at the World Economic Forum are going to enjoy their experience behind the wheel of the Nissan LEAF, especially knowing that the car will not be producing any tailpipe emissions whenever they are driving it," said Pierre Loing, vice president of product strategy and planning at Nissan International SA, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s headquarters in Europe.
A certified, purpose-designed charging point will be installed at the Forum's headquarters in Geneva to safely recharge the car's battery from an optimum 16-amp system.
The charging point will be installed by The Mobility House (TMH), Nissan's network partner in Switzerland and Austria, who will also provide an energy package. TMH, the leading electric mobility operator in Europe based in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, develops affordable e-mobility solutions for regional utility companies, businesses and private customers.
"Easy access to a safe charging infrastructure is necessary in order to make electric mobility accepted by people in everyday life. We look forward to completing the EV experience for the World Economic Forum with our certified charging point," said THM CEO Thomas Raffeiner.
Nissan LEAF, which went on sale in Japan, the US and Europe late last year, has been voted both the European and World Car of the Year 201. The car has a range between charges of up to 175 kilometres as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
To date, 31 Swiss customers have placed orders for the car, which will cost 49,950 CHF. The first customers are due to take delivery of their cars this October. The family hatchback is powered by an in-house developed compact electric motor and inverter in the front of the car, which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h.