Nissan’s foray into EVs will be consummated later this year with the introduction of the 2011 Nissan Leaf.
While dedicated hybrid models like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight—as well as upcoming plug-in hybrids like the 2011 Chevy Volt—are currently in vogue, Nissan has made the push for all-electric vehicle technology.
To fully recharge the battery, it will take between 4-8 hours using a 220-volt home charging unit, or, 26 minutes when utilizing DC quick charge stations which will be setup for public usage. It should however be noted that 26 minutes will only charge the Leaf’s battery to about 80% in that time. The Leaf’s range is estimated to be just over 100 miles between charges.
All of these advancements have made electric cars a more viable alternative to those powered by internal combustion engines. Nissan plans to start selling the Leaf in five major metropolitan U.S. markets late this year (December 2010). Experts estimate that the Leaf will be priced within 2 to 3% of most compact cars, which would compare favorably to the Volt, Prius and Insight. Our guess is somewhere around $24,000. With $7,500 of government subsidies applied to the Leaf, it becomes even more of a bargain.
Although you probably won’t be taking any cross-country trips in this car, the Leaf is perfectly capable of handling the average commute. Government data suggest that roughly 75% of Americans drive 40 miles per day, or less.
For more click to the dedicated Nissan Leaf website.
No comments:
Post a Comment