EV Sales Leader Nissan Extends Sponsorship of National Drive Electric Week through 2017
Thu, 06/11/2015
EV SALES LEADER NISSAN EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP OF NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK THROUGH 2017
SAN FRANCISCO, JUNE 11, 2015 — Plug In America announced today that Nissan will serve as the exclusive automotive sponsor for National Drive Electric Week through 2017. National Drive Electric Week, the largest annual organized gathering of plug-in vehicle drivers, celebrates its fifth anniversary this September with test drives and other activities planned in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond.
“Nissan is a driving force in the plug-in vehicle industry, with the top-selling electric vehicle, Nissan LEAF, and with investments in charging infrastructure and consumer education,” said Tom Saxton, Plug In America’s Program Manager for National Drive Electric Week. “Nissan’s support of National Drive Electric Week helps Plug In America with our efforts to rapidly increase adoption of EVs of all kinds in cities across the U.S.”
National Drive Electric Week is based on the idea that nothing beats ride-and-drives in clean, quiet and powerful plug-in vehicles for converting gasoline-car drivers to EV owners. The event, designed to showcase the fun, cost-savings and clean-air benefits of plug-in vehicles, was launched in 2011 in 29 cities, growing to more than 150 cities in the U.S. and abroad in 2014. Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association team up with local groups to organize events, which typically feature all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars from every automaker on the market.
Nissan and its all-electric LEAF have served as the event’s exclusive automotive sponsor since 2013.
“From the moment we launched Nissan LEAF, we quickly found that LEAF owners are our best salespeople,” said Andrew Speaker, Director, Nissan Electric Vehicle Sales and Marketing. “We are continuing to support National Drive Electric Week because this event helps bring owners of LEAF and other EVs together to share their experience and educate consumers on the benefits of driving electric cars.”
With more than 178,000 global sales and more than 80,000 in the U.S., Nissan LEAF is the world’s best-selling electric car. LEAF features seating for up to five passengers and boasts an EPA-estimated* driving range of 84 miles on a fully-charged battery and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined.
The starting price of a Nissan LEAF is about $22,000** in the United States after the maximum available federal tax credit, and can be lower in states and localities that offer additional credits or rebates. LEAF offers the benefits of lower running costs and less scheduled maintenance. Nissan manufactures LEAF and its battery pack at its plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.
National Drive Electric Week will take place Sept. 12 through 20. To organize or attend an event, visit https://driveelectricweek.org/events.php.
About Plug In America: Plug In America, a San Francisco-based national nonprofit organization, works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering regular ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. It developed the world’s largest, most dedicated network of plug-in vehicle owners and drivers, many of whom have driven EVs for well over a decade. We drive electric. You can, too. www.pluginamerica.org.
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 2.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.
About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org.
About Nissan North America: In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.
About Nissan Motor Co.:
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 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
*2015 EPA Fuel Economy Estimate 126 city, 101 highway. Based on EPA formula of 33.7 kW/hour equal to one gallon of gasoline energy, EPA rated the LEAF® equivalent to 126 MPG measured as gasoline fuel efficiency in city driving, and 101 MPG in highway driving. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions — use for comparison only. 2015 EPA range of 84 miles.
** 2015 Nissan LEAF as low as $21,510 net value after maximum federal tax credit of $7,500. MSRP $29,010. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and spec are subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, title, license and destination charges. The incentive referenced is for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute tax or legal advice. All persons considering use of available incentives should consult with their own tax or legal professional to determine eligibility, specific amount of incentives available, if any, and further details.
Contacts:
Brian Brockman
Nissan Corporate Communications
615-725-1447
brian.brockman@nissan-usa.com
Zan Dubin Scott
Communications Director
Plug In America
310-383-0956
zdubinscott@pluginamerica.org