Nissan Leaf: Affordable Electric Cars Are Almost Here

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PHOTO: NISSAN
The all-electric Nissan Leaf, coming in late 2010, could be the first of what we hope will be many other affordable electric cars.

In the race to build affordable electric cars, Nissan may finish first among the major automakers. The five-passenger, sedan/hatchback and all-electric Nissan Leaf is scheduled to go on sale in “select markets” in December, with nationwide availability in 2011. (Where those “select markets” will be is unknown at this point, but you can count on California being one of them; maybe some cities on the East Coast as well.) Nissan says the Leaf’s top speed will be 76 mph and it will have a cruising range of about 100 miles before a recharge is necessary — plenty for many people’s daily commutes and errands.

What may set the Leaf apart from other forthcoming electric cars is its price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is $32,780, but a $7,500 federal tax credit lowers the cost to $25,280. Additional incentives in some states could make the Leaf even more affordable — California and Georgia residents are eligible for $5,000 tax credits and Oregon residents are eligible for $1,500 tax credits. Nissan says the Leaf will be less expensive to operate than a comparable gasoline car, costing less than $3 to recharge.

To learn more about the Leaf’s pricing and to add your name to the growing reservation list, click the “Sign Up” button on Nissan’s LEAF Electric Car website.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

The primary challenge in making any electric car affordable is the batteries, but Nissan is looking at ways to take that cost out of the equation. One scenario is that a Leaf driver would own the car, but lease the batteries. This would lower the upfront cost of the car, plus give the driver confidence that Nissan would cover any maintenance, updates or replacements. It would also ensure that the batteries would be properly recycled when they meet their eventual end.

  • Published on Feb 22, 2010
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