Nissan Expects Leaf to be First Affordable All-Electric Car

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Nissan expects most owners to charge at home, overnight.

Denis Du Bois - ENERGYPRIORITIES - December 13, 2009

This fits my expected usage profile -- how about you? --Ed.

At the test location, Nissan technician Dean Romaine orients me to the prototype car's dashboard and controls.

This prototype is the Leaf powertrain, batteries and regenerative braking system under the body of a Nissan Tida.

Initially it's a lot like driving a Toyota Prius hybrid... until the straightaway, where Dean persuades me to floor it.

The acceleration is quick -- and almost completely silent. The Leaf has 107 horsepower and tops out at 90 miles an hour -- although I don't come close to that.

You can't buy this, or any production all-electric car, in the US today. Nissan will begin taking reservations for the Leaf in the spring of 2010.

It has all the creature comforts -- air conditioning, cruise control, stereo, and a navigation system that shows the locations of the nearest public charging stations.

In some cities, Leaf drivers won't have to wait for the charging infrastructure to catch up. Mark Perry, Nissan North America's Director of Product Planning, says Seattle is part of a DOE project to place 2,500 charging stations to the Puget Sound region this summer. Perry says there will be a... [Read More]

[GardenWeasel]

I am sooooo tempted!

[Harold]

What will be the cost of this car? I hope it is reasonable! Hal

[SentraSE-R]

It's expected to retail near $30k, but who really knows? At $25k, would hybrid buyers switch, or is a BEV too radical for the average driver? I'm guessing rich die-hard green people will pay the extra $5k without hesitation, and Joe Six-pack would ignore it even if it were priced at $15k

[Harold]

I think $30,000 is not too bad. Great for the wife and her shopping! Maybe we could use it on the golf course as well? I understand it has a range of 80 miles between charges. I wounder if it has a reserve pack? I guess it would be not much different than running out of gas! Hal

[WriConsult]

Originally Posted by ENERGYPRIORITIES

The one thing it doesn't have is a tailpipe. It is completely emissions-free -- no carbon. And, in places like Seattle, where the energy utility gets its power from renewable energy, is carbon neutral, even the charging source is carbon neutral.

That's 98% true - if you live within the Seattle city limits. And no doubt a disproportionate number of Leaf customers will probably be Seattle city residents. But most Seattle area residents do NOT live within the city limits, and area power supplies vary widely in their carbon footprint:

• Seattle City Light (supplying the city of Seattle proper): 92% renewable, 6% nuclear, 2% carbon-releasing (coal, gas).
• Tacoma City Light (city of Tacoma proper): 91% renewable, 8% nuclear, 1% carbon-releasing.
• Snohomish PUD (much of the Everett area, north of Seattle): 80% renewable, 10% nuclear, 10% carbon-releasing.
• Puget Sound Energy (overwhelmingly the area's largest utility, supplying most suburban areas): 43% renewable, 1% nuclear, 56% carbon-releasing.

Don't get me wrong: even for suburban customers in PSE territory, it's still vastly preferable to charge a Leaf with a grid mix like PSE's versus burning gasoline in even the most efficient gas or diesel powered car. Probably many times over.

But it will certainly not be a carbon-free endeavor. That's also true down here in Portland, where our standard mix is similar to PSE's (unless, as I have, you opt to spend a few extra bucks a month for 100%-renewable power). Bottom line: there are wide variations in the carbon impact of EV charging from one place to another. Unlike with gasoline and diesel powered cars, you can't just slap a carbon impact sticker on the window of an electric car and expect it to be accurate for everyone.

[JusBringIt]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

(unless, as I have, you opt to spend a few extra bucks a month for 100%-renewable power).

I'm curious if there is a way for you, the consumer, to know that the company is ACTUALLY using this money for renewables instead of just capitalizing and shafting half their customers.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Harold

I think $30,000 is not too bad. Great for the wife and her shopping! Maybe we could use it on the golf course as well? I understand it has a range of 80 miles between charges. I wounder if it has a reserve pack? I guess it would be not much different than running out of gas! Hal

Actually, it is supposed to get 100mi per charge and I expect that hypermiling could increase that by 20% and possibly more if the speeds are kept down.

As for who would buy it at that price... ME. Seriously, I've never contemplated purchasing a vehicle costing anywhere near that much (I've never even paid half that for a vehicle!!), but going all electric is worth it to me. I'm tired of the complexity, filth, and dependence upon frequently changed liquids we can't even produce in the US (for the most part ). I want to ditch burning fuel as a transportation power source in the worst way!!

[JusBringIt]

Originally Posted by Right Lane Cruiser

Actually, it is supposed to get 100mi per charge and I expect that hypermiling could increase that by 20% and possibly more if the speeds are kept down.

As for who would buy it at that price... ME. Seriously, I've never contemplated purchasing a vehicle costing anywhere near that much (I've never even paid half that for a vehicle!!), but going all electric is worth it to me. I'm tired of the complexity, filth, and dependence upon frequently changed liquids we can't even produce in the US (for the most part ). I want to ditch burning fuel as a transportation power source in the worst way!!

+1

100 miles AER would be more than sufficient for me.

[WoodyWoodchuck]

I do just under 60 miles a day commuting so this would be perfect. I would not worry about making a side trip to the store for supplies with ~40 miles backup range. $30,000 is a bit more than I can afford unfortunately. I will have to be content with my happy little Yaris until some of these babies go on the market used for a bit less money. Unless… Someone buys one and needs someone to drive it... errr... a place to store it for a few years. Just a thought. I would even build a garage for it and send them pictures once a week!