Email

Print

  Transport News

Nissan makes all-electric LEAF available for reservation

The Nissan LEAF will offer a 100-mile range on an eight-hour home charge

Nissan will begin taking reservations for its all-electric LEAF vehicle tomorrow, with priority for the 115,000 who signed up at the manufacturer’s website.

Nissan North America said the reservation process will begin April 20, with the five-door LEAF set to be released in select markets this December, before a wider roll-out in 2011.

The company surprised many by the relatively low price of its LEAF, which is set to go on sale for $25,280 after federal rebates.

Nissan will be offering lease plans starting at $349 per month, based on 36 payments and a $1,999 deposit.

Registration begins with payment of a refundable $99 registration fee, and will be available to those who are registered on the NissanUSA website by the end of today (April 19).

Other members of the public will be able to reserve vehicles from May 15.

Brian Carolin, senior vice president of sales & marketing at Nissan North America, said early interest in the vehicle had been “highly encouraging”.

Mr Carolin said: “People from across the country have raised their hands to be among the first to drive home a Nissan LEAF. Consumers are pledging broad support for the first affordable electric vehicle for the mass market.”

The LEAF is designed to offer a 100-mile range on a single charging. Powered by lithium batteries and an 80kW electric motor, the vehicle will have a top speed of 90mph according to its manufacturer.

Nissan says drivers will be able to charge the batteries up to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes at public charging stations, with complete charging taking eight hours at a home-based charging point.

Reservations

People from across the country have raised their hands to be among the first to drive home a Nissan LEAF” - Brian Carolin, Nissan North America

Those registered through the Nissan USA website will be sent an email tomorrow afternoon with instructions on how to start the reservation process.

The process involves creating an account, answering a few questions and paying the $99 fee by credit card. Those who reserve a vehicle will be able to indicate a preferred dealer, Nissan said.

The manufacturer is limiting the reservations to one per household.

A new website will be launched at NissanUSA.com to support the launch of the Nissan LEAF.