(August 8, 2012) ROLLE, Switzerland — The Dutch town of Linschoten has been named the most "switched on" in Europe, after receiving the greatest number of pledges of support for electric driving of any town or city in Europe during Nissan's campaign, The Big Turn On.

To mark the victory, Nissan is donating a number of its Quick Chargers, which allow owners of vehicles compliant with the international CHAdeMO charging standard to recharge the battery to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes.

The Big Turn On was designed to encourage consumers from France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK to consider the benefits of zero-emission driving, and to promote the Nissan LEAF as a safe, environmentally friendly and economical vehicle- with the range between charges being easily sufficient for the vast majority of daily trips.

The initial plan was to get one million people to click the "Turn On" button (on The Big Turn On website, or via social media channels) within 100 days — but the campaign so captured the public imagination that Nissan hit this target 16 days ahead of schedule, on June 21.

The CHAdeMO standard Quick Chargers donated to Linschoten are among 400 that Nissan plans to donate to cities across Europe by the end of FY2012 to speed up infrastructure development. The first Nissan Quick Chargers have already been installed in the Netherlands and France.

About The Big Turn On

The Big Turn On is a 100-day campaign to demonstrate the benefits of electric vehicles, and to bust the myths that surround them through online influencers, owners, and celebrities. The influencers compete to turn the most people on to electric driving for their city, and the top influencer in each country can win a Nissan LEAF. The most turned on city after the 100 days will win 30 Nissan-designed Quick Chargers, capable of replenishing a Nissan LEAF battery to 80% charge in 30 minutes or less. The campaign is based online with outlets on YouTube, Facebook and the online hub at http://www.the-big-turn-on.com/