Just a few days ago, Nissan revealed
the LEAF electric vehicle to the public. The 5-door hatchback
looks relatively conventional and Nissan promises that the vehicle
will be "affordable" when it hits the streets.
Yesterday, Nissan announced that the LEAF will be released
in limited numbers next year in the United States. According to
Nissan, 5,000 LEAFs will be spread evenly through five markets:
Oregon, Phoenix/Tuscon, San Diego, Seattle, and Tennessee.
Nissan credits the recent announcement of $2.4B
in federals grants for battery development for its relatively
quick time-to-market plans for the LEAF. Nissan will be partnering
with eTec, a company which provides charging stations for EVs, to
help provide the infrastructure to support vehicles like the LEAF.
ETec received nearly $100 million of the $2.4B grant.
"Nissan appreciates the support of the Department of Energy
in helping jumpstart the electrification of the transportation
sector," said Nissan of North America's Scott Becker. "This
is a major step in promoting zero-emission mobility in the United
States. Nissan is looking forward to partnering with eTec to help
make electric cars a reality and to help establish the charging
networks in key markets."
Nissan's LEAF can travel 100 miles on a single charge and reach a
top speed of 87 mph thanks to its lithium-ion battery pack and
electric motors.
The first 5,000 LEAF EVs to reach the American market late next
year will be made in Japan. Nissan plans to start building the LEAF
in its Tennessee plant in 2012.
