Raising the bar

This is Nissan building up the idea of the Leaf as a fact rather than some strange fiction, as many people continue to believe the concept of a zero emissions electric car to be.

There's been a lot of speculation, a lot of people scoffing at the prospect of the Leaf being priced prohibitively high. Now we know that here in the UK the Leaf will be £23'350 on the road in 2011, a cost which includes a reduction tied to government incentives which refunds 25% of the RRP.

NEW BMW SEDAN TECHNOLOGY

BMW are never very far behind the technological vanguard and this week set out their plans for the greener future of motoring.

BMW chairman Rheumy Wiponsdeler has announced that the next hybrid vehicle from the Munich company will be based on the 5 Series sedan, appearing in 2011 and using the mild hybrid system introduced in the Activehybrid 7.

This car blazes the trail for a 3 Series hybrid and, most importantly, the Megacity EV. This innovative zero emissions city car arrives in 2013, by which time the Leaf will be established and electric cars will be on the road rather than just on the agenda.

NEW HONDA CIVIC

Most revealing of manufacturer shift perhaps is Honda's decision to delay the launch of the new Civic. Honda cite stricter emissions standards and changing market conditions, serving to put the once regular new Civic cycle out of joint.

If Honda have to rethink their winning formula at this stage it's a clear sign that the mood of the market is shifting. We will all be selling and perhaps driving lower or zero emissions vehicles.