For the cost conscious UK motorist, there are various ways to keep motoring costs under control, from finding a cheap petrol retailer, to seeking out affordable Short Term European Cover for the summer holiday to the continent. But big savings can also be made in the most fundamental purchase – the car itself.

One of the most economical cars on the market at present is the all-electric Nissan Leaf. The latest 2013 model has a range of 200 km (120 miles), and has a combined fuel economy of 115 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent. Designed to help minimise dependence on petrol, the Leaf also has impressive credentials in terms of the environment. It produces no exhaust fumes and emits no greenhouse gases at all.

UK Production of the Leaf

Nissan’s Sunderland plant has recently completed production of its first ever Leaf. The UK version will be exported to 80 countries, and it is the first of 5 new models to be manufactured at the plant over the coming 3 years.

The Leaf will also be produced in the USA and Japan.

The UK plant has benefitted from an investment of £420m from Nissan in order to be able to manufacture the Leaf. It will support over 2,000 jobs.

Nissan’s presence in Sunderland has produced many success stories, not least of which is surpassing the benchmark of half a million cars. 510,572 cars were built there last year, making it the first UK car plant ever to make more than 500,000 cars in a single year.

The Prime Minister said of the news: "The Government has committed £400 million to make the UK a leading market for ultra-low carbon vehicles. Nissan's announcement shows the confidence the company has in the skills-base and the business environment in the UK and that the UK is open for business."