FRANKLIN, Tennessee — It appears that Nissan has the Chevrolet Volt clearly in the crosshairs with the announcement that it will begin taking reservations for the 2011 Leaf, its new electric car, starting in spring 2010. However, critical details, such as pricing and the cost of a deposit, are still being finalized, said the automaker.
Nissan credits "strong initial demand" for the decision, saying that nearly 22,000 people in North America have contacted the company since the car's unveiling in August. The five-passenger hatchback is expected to be priced between $28,000 and $35,000 before any government incentives. The Leaf is due to hit showrooms in late 2010.
Those who wish to place a reservation for the Leaf can visit a dedicated Web site www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car.
The demand for the Leaf appears to be strongest in the western states. Nissan listed San Diego, Tucson, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, as areas of high demand for the car and noted that the cities "are among the first markets where Leaf will be available globally."
The Leaf is also being readied for a U.S. tour that will kick off in Los Angeles later this year.
The Leaf has a top speed of 90 mph and a range of 100 miles per charge.
Inside Line says: The Leaf is racing so fast toward reality that Nissan will soon be ready to take reservations. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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puzzlers says:
12:05 PM, 11/13/2009
So let me get this straight. Nissan is taking reservations in the spring for a car that costs between $28k and $35k (not including battery which must be leased) and has a range of only 100 miles per charge. I understand the need for more fuel efficient cars and lower emissions but obviously these car makers don't understand the need to be practical.
First off, to lease the battery under the argument that when you buy a car it doesn't include gas so therefore you shouldn't assume the battery is free since it will be providing the power to the car is an absolutely moronic argument. Yeah, so maybe I won't need to fill up at the gas station, but I'll certainly have to pay the increased electric bill that will result from charging the battery. Don't they understand that the battery is more analogous to the gas tank and its only purpose is to hold the charge ("fuel") that will provide the power. Leasing the battery is tantamount to every car maker charging an annual fee for leasing the gas tank. Secondly, what would be the process for selling the car after several years of use. Do you have to return the battery before the sale or do you have to have the new owner sign and file papers with Nissan to transfer the lease. It just seems ridiculous. They should just add the cost of the battery into the car even though that would no longer make the price competitive since the battery itself costs $10,000.
More importantly is the limited driving range of only 100 miles. That basically limits your driving radius to 50 miles. Anymore and you'll be driving past the point of no return unless there is a convenient fill up location nearby and you have 30 minutes to kill waiting for the charge (6 hours if it is not a high charge station). Boy that's convenient. In reality the driving radius is probably more like 30 miles because I'm sure that the 100 mile upper limit was logged on a closed testing track as opposed to driving in traffic and having to stop for lights and stop signs - you know, the real world. I can just see it now: "I'm sorry granny, I would love to bring little Johnny over for Thanksgiving but you live 60 miles away and you don't have a 220 volt outlet conveniently located in your senior living community so that I can charge my car for the ride home".
Good luck Nissan, I'm sure Toyota (with the Prius) is shaking in their boots. Let's hope the Volt has a little more to offer.
felonious says:
09:39 AM, 10/02/2009
They seriously couldn't slap a better face on that thing? And we thought the FX50 looked like a radioactive catfish!