Renault-Nissan hit 100,000 EV milestone

The Renault-Nissan alliance has sold its 100,000th electric vehicle (EV), less than three years after the launch of the Leaf, the world's first mass-market EV

Sales figures from the French and Japanese automotive giants, which have been partners since 1999, confirm that as of July more than 71,000 Nissan Leafs have been bought worldwide since the vehicle’s launch in December 2010.

Meanwhile, sales of Renault’s range of EVs, which include the Kangoo Z.E van and the two-seater Twizy, have now reached 30,000.

“The age of the mainstream zero-emission vehicle is here,” claimed Carlos Ghosn, chair and chief executive at the Renault–Nissan alliance. “We expect demand to keep growing as the charging infrastructure develops – and we remain 100% committed to zero-emission technology for the long term.”

In total, the alliance estimates that its EVs have travelled 841 million kilometres, saving 53 million litres of oil and preventing 124,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers released in March, confirmed that the Nissan Leaf is the UK’s top selling EV.

Renault–Nissan models make up one-quarter of the ultra-low-carbon cars eligible for the UK government’s plug-in grant, which offers buyers a grant covering up to 25% of the cost of the car. Since the scheme launched in February 2010, 4,553 applications for grants have been submitted, according to data from the UK office for low emission vehicles (OLEV).

Earlier this month transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced that the OLEV would receive an extra £500 million of funding up to 2020 to support the development, and encourage the uptake, of ultra-low emission vehicles in the UK.

Meanwhile, German car manufacturer BMW has announced the launch of its new EV the BMWi3. The all-electric model will go on sale in the UK in November and will be eligible for the plug-in grant.