The launch of ESB's first power points brought the announcement of another zero-emission motor to the Irish car market.
Nissan's contribution to the electric car movement will come in the form of the Leaf, which will arrive on our shores in the spring of 2011.
The 'new generation' five-seat hatchback will be 100 per cent electric with zero emissions.
The Leaf will be powered by an 80kW electric motor, which will charge to 80 per cent capacity in less than 30 minutes. On a full charge you'll get up to 160 kilometres behind the wheel with a top speed of approximately 140km/h.
Nissan has not yet specified how much the car will cost, saying only that it will be competitive with similarly-sized cars with conventional engines.
The Leaf, which will go on sale at Windsor Motors nationwide, will be one of the many new 'green' cars to be powered at the ESB's recently launched charging units.
"The availability of charging points even before the Nissan Leaf is launched is a very positive step for us," said Windsor CEO Gabriel Keane. "It will certainly help our customers in terms of accessibility but also in terms of confidence that the Government and ESB are fully behind this initiative and are also investing time and money in it."
Nissan also recently announced plans to produce the Leaf a little closer to home. Production will take place in Sunderland in the UK from 2013 onwards, which will improve the Leaf's overall carbon footprint even further.