The Nissan Leaf electric car would be available in South African showrooms in November, said Nissan South Africa (SA) MD Mike Whitfield on Wednesday as he unveiled the vehicle at the Johannesburg International Motor Show.

“The technology is well proved around the world. South Africa is a sophisticated market, so why should the Leaf not be here?” he told Engineering News Online.

Nissan SA chief marketing manager Ross Garvie said the local arm of the Japanese car manufacturer was starting the roll-out of the Leaf in Gauteng only, with the vehicle available at seven dealers located in and between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Charging stations for the electric car would be available at these dealers, with two additional dealers offering charging facilities only.

Phase 2 would involve establishing charging stations at shopping malls, Gautrain stations and airports, with the roll-out of this infrastructure to happen from early next year, said Garvie.

He noted that the Leaf would be sold in South Africa with a booklet indicating the GPS coordinates of charging stations, as well as a smartphone app that would guide drivers to the nearest charging station.

The vehicle would be sold at R446 000, with a home charger sold at an additional R30 000.

Garvie said an overnight full charge of the Leaf would cost around R25.

The charging stations at the dealers would offer a quick charge to 80% of the Leaf's battery capacity in under 30 minutes.

There was currently no government subsidy available for the purchase of an electric vehicle, as was the case in most other countries where such vehicles had been rolled out, noted Garvie.

“We are eagerly awaiting the government policy on electric vehicles.”

He added that it was difficult to estimate how many units of the Nissan Leaf would sell in South Africa.

“This is a completely new market in South Africa. There is no historical data.”

Garvie said government was leasing four Leafs from Nissan SA, and Eskom ten units. A number of corporates, especially banks, as well as private individuals had shown interest in acquiring the vehicle.