Nissan has taken the wraps off its new electric-powered car - the LEAF.

The five-door hatchback is due to arrive in the UK in 2012, and Nissan claims it is the world's first electric car 'designed for affordability and real-world requirements'. It will offer a range of around 100 miles, and can be recharged via a domestic power supply. The electric motor produces 107bhp.

Nissan has not revealed pricing details, and is still working on how to sell the vehicles - in the case of fleets, it could be via a lease arrangement rather than outright purchase.

A fleet of LEAFs will be available to hire from certain Europcar rental stations in the UK in 2012 (Fleet News, July 30), while Nissan is working with LeasePlan to develop specific contracts for the model for lease customers.