• Nissan's Leaf is an all-electric car.

• The automaker produced the 500 000th Leaf at its plant in England.

• 9 September is World EV Day.

• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za

Today, 9 September, is World EV Day and Nissan is celebrating it with the production of the 500 000th Leaf, the world's first mass-market all-electric car. Nissan Sunderland plant in England, where the Leaf is built, has built more than 175 000 Leafs since it began production in 2013.

The Leaf is no stranger to celebrations, either. In 2011, it won European Car of the Year, World Car of the Year, and Japanese Car of the Year. It repeated the latter feat in 2012, as well.

The 500 000th Leaf was bought Marian Jansen from Norway.

Jansen said: "My husband and I chose to purchase a Nissan Leaf back in 2018, and we loved it. We're very excited to become the proud owners of the 500 000th Leaf. This car meets our needs with extended range and enhanced technologies."

Helen Perry, head of electric passenger cars and infrastructure at Nissan Europe, comments: "Consumers have seen what cleaner air and reduced noise pollution feel like during lockdowns. Now more than ever, they're looking to take positive steps towards a more sustainable future, and the Leaf contributes to this efforts."

With more than 14.8 billion clean-air kilometres driven since 2010, Leaf owners around the world have helped prevent more than 2.4 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions.

Nissan Leaf (MotorPress)

Compiled by: Charlen Raymond