Nissan PH will enter a new chapter on May 9

Nissan PH is ready to launch the all-new LEAF

Nissan is one of the automakers leading the charge for electric vehicles worldwide. They were one of the first to offer mass-market EVs with the first-generation LEAF, and have expanded their electric vehicle portfolio since.

The Japanese automaker also wants to be the first mainstream brand to find success for electric cars in the Philippines. They plan to do that with the second-generation LEAF, and after a long wait, it's finally ready for its local launch. And for those who are curious, LEAF isn't just a random name Nissan plucked out of nowhere. It stands for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable Family car. 

You will get to know more about Nissan's first EV in the country once they launch it here by May 9. You can join the launch via Nissan Philippines' Facebook page and YouTube channel. It's about time as well, since it's been a while since the automaker previewed it here late last year. 

Once it is launched, we will know the pricing of this zero-emissions vehicle. Last year, sources told us that Nissan Philippines was pegging prices at around PHP 1,800,000 to PHP 2,000,000. Should they be able to eke out more incentives and tariff exemptions, they might even be able to sell it for less. We were also told that the local-spec LEAF will come with the 40 kWh battery. Its electric motors are good for 150 PS and 320 Nm of torque. Of course, the only way we can confirm these stats is once the car is revealed in about two weeks.

We have driven the LEAF on three occasions, each in different conditions. The first was in Japan, the second time was in Spain, and the third was right here in the Philippines. We praised it for how much it felt like a standard, gas-fed car. We also noted its performance and enjoyed the benefits of its novel e-Pedal system. It made a solid impression on us, and it's making us curious what it's like to live with once it's launched. Thankfully, we won't have to wait too long for that.