(July 6, 2011) Nissan has won an honor in the UK, winning the Green-Car-Guide’s Greenest Manufacturer of the Year Award for showing real commitment and leadership with the launch of the all-electric Nissan LEAF.

Green-Car-Guide.com presents its Greenest Manufacturer Award every year with the aim of recognizing manufacturers that have made a special contribution by offering motorists more efficient, lower carbon vehicles — as long as they are also great to drive.

This is the fourth year of the award, and each year there is stiffer competition, as all manufacturers are making increasing efforts to lower the emissions of their models. However Nissan has gone beyond incremental improvements and has created a step-change with the launch of the all-electric LEAF.

Green Car said in its award presentation that introducing an electric car in itself would not necessarily qualify Nissan to win the award, but the LEAF is also excellent to drive, well designed, and practical for a family. As well as its environmental credentials, it is also much cheaper to run than a conventional gas or diesel car.

Gas and diesel prices are expected to continue to rise due to increasing global demand and dwindling oil supplies, therefore the LEAF is likely to become even more of an attractive proposition.