Leaf takes on top drives

Nissan has used a 30kWh Leaf to take on six of Europe’s most iconic drives.

The epic journey saw the Nissan LEAF take on six of the most beautiful drives in Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway, Scotland and France; including Italy’s iconic Mount Etna and historic cities, such as Granada, Spain, and Marseille, France.

Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, says: “The Nissan LEAF is much more than just a city car and is an ideal zero-emission solution. With five seats and 370 litres standard luggage capacity, the Nissan LEAF 30 kWh is perfect for those long family getaways this summer. LEAF’s low running costs and quiet drivetrain make family holidays cheaper and more peaceful than ever before.

“What’s more, the Grand Tour demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to our vision for intelligent mobility, showing how innovative technologies are helping to integrate EVs into modern family life.”

The series of drives started off in Norway, journeying from island to island on the country’s famous and breath-taking Atlantic Road, one of the world’s most scenic drives. The 891km road includes no less than eight bridges and is a cultural heritage site.

Scotland marked the next stage of the tour of Europe and a journey from Dumfries to Clatteringshaw’s Loch. A serene location for wild camping and a chance to see some of the great wildlife the loch is noted for, including Red Deer and Golden Eagles. Though a traditional landscape, Scotland also lays claim to over 600 charge points.

Challenging some of the misconceptions around electric vehicles, route three on the tour saw the Nissan LEAF take to the road in Granada, Spain. This drive took the Nissan LEAF from the historic city of Granada, with its sprawling hilltop fortress of Alhambra, to the beautiful turquoise reservoir at Embalse de Francisco Abellan.

The mountain views of Sierra Nevada were a magnificent back drop to enjoy some wild swimming. The road trip continued in Italy, taking in a spectacular mountain drive on the volcanic Italian island of Sicily. Starting out from Oasi del Simeto, the Nissan LEAF headed up the dramatic slopes of Mount Etna, known to be one of the most active volcanoes on Earth.

The penultimate drive took place in to France, with a stunning coastal drive along the Mediterranean. The drive started out from Cassis, to the oldest city in the country, Marseille. The picturesque port supplied great views and delicious sea food. This is a region that is both beautiful and great for electric vehicle drivers.

At the end of the European wild drive adventure, the Nissan LEAF headed to Germany and another mountain climb, this time starting off in the aptly named Pilgrimage Church of Wies, and heading up into the Alps. The wild drive took in the beautiful wooded countryside of the region’s famous Black Forest.

The drive finished up at Neuschwanstein Castle, a Romanesque Revival palace, built atop of a rugged hill, above the village of Hohenschwangau, in southwest Bavaria. With the castle as a backdrop to the final activity, wild walking, this journey marked a fittingly memorable conclusion to the electric Grand Tour.