When we attended the launch of the all-new Nissan Leaf in Japan back in 2017, at the back of our minds we wondered why we were flown all the way there to witness the introduction of a model that wasn’t available in our market. Now we know why.

Today, at the Nissan Futures symposium here in Hong Kong, the Japanese carmaker announced that its Leaf EV will be introduced in our market next year. This was mentioned during the Nissan Futures event last year, but now it’s confirmed.

The move is part of Nissan’s plan to literally electrify the region. As of now the Leaf is on sale in many of our Asian neighbors like Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. In 2020 it will be the turn of the Philippines and Indonesia to launch Nissan’s popular EV.

Since it was introduced in 2010, over 400,000 Leaf EVs (Leaves?) have been sold worldwide, making it the best-selling electric vehicle in the world.

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"Nissan is taking leadership to drive awareness and embracing of electrified mobility in Asia and Oceania," said Nissan regional senior vice-president and head of Asia & Oceania Yutaka Sanada. "We are creating excitement by bringing the new Nissan Leaf to more markets in the region and introducing in Indonesia and the Philippines is a key step. This allows customers to get first-hand experience with the benefits of electric vehicles for themselves and for societies."

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More than another model introduction, this will mark a turning point for the Philippine motoring industry. The Nissan Leaf will be the first electric vehicle from a major manufacturer to be sold in our market.

There’s a long road ahead for EVs in our country, and we’re not alluding to range anxiety. Charging stations have to be built, the government has to cooperate in so many ways, and, maybe most important, motorists have to change their mindsets about car ownership and maintenance.

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At least Nissan has gotten the ball rolling. Now it’s time see what the future is like.