Nissan has revealed its Leaf electric car will cost around £27,000 on the Japanese car market before state subsidies.

The news supports the carmaker's claim that Leaf would be the world's first affordable, zero-emission car.

If similar pricing were adopted by Nissan GB when Leaf goes on sale here next year, Government subsidies would drop the cost to around £22,000 - not much more than a well-specified diesel Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra's list price.

That will come as bad news for rival Mitsubishi UK, which has said it will price its i-Miev electric city car at £38,699 before Government subsidies when it launches in January 2011.

Nissan says Leaf is a proper five-seat hatchback capable of 100 miles on a single charge of electricity and with a top speed of just over 85mph.

The Leaf will be charged at owners' homes in 8 hours, or in 30 minutes at bespoke electric recharging stations.