NISSAN has a history of innovation – Skyline, 1600, 240Z, some earlier Micras – but the Leaf is something else entirely. Already a multiple car of the year winner abroad, the Japanese hatchback is the world’s first dedicated mainstream electric vehicle, with zero tailpipe emissions, price, safety and low running costs all on its side. Australia is in line to see it in June 2012, but we’ve been lucky to score a three-month long-term test car as part of the Victorian Government’s EV Trial. Here’s our first taste on local roads.