Nissan Leaf Home-Charging Station Makes Debut

DETROIT — Nissan on Monday announced at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show that AeroVironment will supply electric vehicle home-charging stations and installation services for consumers who buy the electric Nissan Leaf. Pricing on both the Leaf and the home-charging station has not been announced, however.

The Leaf debuts in December, with observers speculating that it will come in around $30,000 — but that doesn't take into account the $7,500 federal tax credit that will be available for the first 200,000 units of the Leaf. In addition, some states offer tax credits for electric vehicles.

"It's literally still being worked out," said Nissan spokesperson Katherine Zachary in a telephone conversation, when contacted Tuesday morning by Inside Line about pricing for the Leaf and the home-charging station. "Consumers should be aware that a $2,000 federal tax credit will go toward the purchase and installation of a home-charging unit. And if you have a 220-volt line in your garage, that will defray the cost of installation."

Zachary also said that AeroVironment eventually plans to offer a range of home-charging stations to consumers down the road. "Some of them will be 'smart' and programmable," she said. Although the Leaf can be plugged into an existing electrical outlet, Zachary said the home-charging unit will act like a surge protector between the vehicle and your garage.

Nissan will announce pricing on the Leaf and the home-charging station in the spring, she said.

In a statement, Nissan said the Nissan-branded charging stations will be available at the sale of each Nissan Leaf "as part of the vehicle's total driving system." It will take eight hours to fully charge the Nissan Leaf.

Inside Line says: Good thinking on the part of Nissan to provide one-stop shopping for Leaf customers, but we'll have to wait to see what all this convenience is going to cost. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent