European Nissan Leaf sales have risen by 10 per cent in the first half of FY16 compared with the same period last year, Nissan has announced. The latest figures also reveal that there are more than 75,000 Nissan EV owners in Europe as electric vehicle sales speed up across the continent.

This milestone follows the recent announcement that 260,000 Nissan EVs have been sold worldwide.

EV sales have been further bolstered by strong e-NV200 sales year-to-date FY16 – up 34 per cent year-on-year. Increased demand for Nissan’s zero-emission e-NV200 from businesses across Europe comes as the company extends its five year warranty to include the all-electric LCV.

Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, said:  “Europe’s electric vehicle market is growing at an extraordinary pace as motorists across the continent switch on to the multiple benefits that electric mobility provides.

“As part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, it is our aim to offer customers around the world a safer and more sustainable future through our electric vehicle range including, the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200. By driving sales, we are encouraging increasing numbers of drivers to switch to EVs and ultimately, move towards to a zero-emission future.”

Nissan has also unveiled the special version Leaf Black Edition.  Based on the existing Acenta grade, the Nissan Leaf Black Edition offers a number of styling enhancements. Exterior additions include 16” black alloy wheels, LED headlamps, illuminated entry guards, privacy glass, black door mirror caps and black rear roof spoiler.

The Black Edition also comes with the latest evolution of the advanced NissanConnect EV telematics system and its Around View Monitor technology as standard.

Gareth Dunsmore said: “The Nissan Leaf Black Edition offers our customers stylish, premium design in an affordable mass-market 100 percent electric vehicle. We are committed to delivering innovation that excites and this vehicle does just that, with our leading Around View Monitor technology offering customers a more confident drive – embodying Nissan Intelligent Mobility.”

The limited edition model is on sale in Europe for a restricted production run from March 2017 up until August 2017, with the first 1,000 customers in Europe receiving a free Wi-Fi hotspot – capable of powering up to eight devices.