The car will compete under the ACO's "Garage 56" entry - an additional spot on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology.
Run as a Nissan/Nismo factory entry from Japan, the design team is headed by Ben Bowlby, their new Director of Motorsport Innovation, who in 2012 was involved in the Nissan DeltaWing project.
Nissan intend to return to the LM P1 class at Le Mans in the future and Andy Palmer, Executive VP and Executive Committe member at Nissan said: "Nissan has become a global leader in zero emission technology and we will use the car as a mobile test bed to test the potential of our planned LM P1 power train. The ZEOD is a natural progression from the Nissan LEAF and the LEAF RC race car prototype."
Nissan will work with French tyre manufacturer Michelin through an extensive testing programme to fine tune the 300 kmh electric car before it makes its debut here next June.
Ben Bowlby, newly appointed to the team said: "We have many options to consider and test. The programme is part of a long term goal to develop a system and set of rules for this type of technology in partnership with the ACO. A large part of our work in the coming months will be to discuss with the ACO future opportunities for the 'electrification' of the Le Mans rules in the future and work towards delivering appropriate technology. Garage 56 is a bold move by the ACO to showcase innovation and allow testing of untried components and systems for competition use. To this end they are the most forward thinking promoter in motorsport today."
Over the next 12 months Nissan will post regular updates via social media as well as through their innovative partnership with YouTube. Visit www.nismo.tv to see the latest updates. Also on Facebook at /NissanZEODRC and Twitter @NissanZEODR
Tony Light / ACO
