Nissan Newsroom Europe

NISSAN LEAF GETS THE BLUE LIGHT

--Award-winning electric vehicle joins the Portuguese police force--

• Eight zero-emission Nissan LEAF EVs start patrolling Portuguese streets

• Portugal's PSP is the first force in the world with a fleet of Nissan LEAF EVs

• Move underlines Portugal's commitment to electric vehicles

ROLLE (2 July, 2012) - Portuguese criminals need to take extra care if they want to avoid being caught red-handed. Local police have taken delivery of a fleet of stealthy Nissan LEAF electric vehicles, allowing them to arrive at the scene of a crime in near silence.

The eight Nissan LEAF police cars will be operated by Portugal's PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) the security force responsible for policing the large urban areas of the country.

The multi-award winning zero-emission cars will be used mainly as part of the PSP's Safe School Program, but with flashing blue lights, sirens and clear ‘Polícia' markings, they can be called upon to perform other police duties at any time.

Nissan LEAF was chosen by PSP as part of its push to reduce its ecological footprint. "We pride ourselves in being the first police force in the world to incorporate the 100% electric Nissan LEAF as part of our 5,000 vehicle fleet," said Superintendent Paul Gomes Valente, National Director of PSP.

"We want to continue contributing to the reduction in pollution in large urban centres and the introduction of the 100 per cent electric Nissan LEAF sets a new benchmark for our fleet," he added.

Portugal is an EV pioneer in Europe. It was one of the first countries to install a network of EV chargers in its big cities and was the first to sell Nissan LEAF to the European public when it was introduced in 2011.

ENDS

To learn more about Nissan's Electric Vehicles, please visit: http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com/

About the Nissan LEAF:

The Nissan LEAF was the first mass produced EV winning the European, World and Japanese car of the year 2011. More than 32,000 units have been sold globally since its introduction in December 2010, making Nissan LEAF the world's most selling electric vehicle. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h. The electric motor is powered by a Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery with an output of more than 90 kW. Recharging from empty to 100% takes eight hours with a normal charger and just 30 minutes from empty to 80% using a quick charger in optimal conditions. Nissan LEAF has been awarded five stars in the tough Euro NCAP tests, making it one of the safest cars on the road. Nissan LEAF comes fully equipped with air conditioning, satellite navigation, rear-view parking camera. European production of the Nissan LEAF will start at Sunderland in early 2013.

About Nissan in Europe

Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced 677,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.1 million vehicles in 2010, generating revenue of 8.77 trillion yen ($102.37 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan, 2012 RJC Car of the Year, 2011 European Car of the Year, and 2011 World Car of the Year awards. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.