“Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience.”
The race is on for electric vehicle development, and while the Chevy Volt and a fully electric Mercedes-Benz are in development for 2010 release, Nissan just threw the industry a curve over the weekend with its affordable new electric hatchback, the LEAF. Taking center stage ushering in what its calling the Zero-Emission Era, Nissan unveiled the five-seater, announcing that a limited number will be sold in fall 2010 in the United States, Japan and Europe, with full-blown global production beginning in 2012.
Check out the specs on this beauty. Featuring a front-mounted motor with front wheel drive, the LEAF is powered by a 24 kWh (90 kW) lithium ion battery with an expected charge life of 100 miles. The LEAF’s top speed of 90 MPH promises to be a great commuter car with both highway and around-town mobility. And nicely, the battery can be charged to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes at a quick charge station, while a full home charge takes about eight hours. As for the interior, a dash-mounted monitor tells the driver how much charge remains on the battery, along with information on area charging stations. Connected to Nissan’s “global data center,” the LEAF’s advanced IT system offers a wide range of navigational and entertainment features, and drivers can even use their cell phones to turn on the air conditioner and set charging functions, even when the car is powered down.
Although prices haven’t been announced yet, Nissan — banking on clean-air initiatives and tax breaks still being in place when the LEAF hits the showroom — promises a “competitively-priced” car with a sticker similar to a “well-equipped C-segment vehicle.” Meaning probably at least $25,000. The battery alone is what cranks up costs on electric vehicles, compensating for about a third of the car’s value.
Nissan announced its release of the LEAF at its new headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, where the car manufacturer and city officials recently joined hands in the Yokohama Mobility “Project Zero.” A five-year plan, Project Zero aims to make Yokohama Japan’s first zero-emissions mobility city through transportation management and creating low carbon and carbon-free zones. Almost makes you want to turn over a new leaf.
Photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.