Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment - one in which all Nissan employees can take great pride," said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. "We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality - the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero - not simply reduced - emissions. It's the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey - for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry."
Key characteristics of the Nissan LEAF include:
Zero-emission power train and platform
- Affordable pricing
- Distinctive design
- Real-world range autonomy - 160km (100 miles)
The "LEAF" name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. However, the company expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment.
2011 Nissan Leaf is a pure electric car first offered for sale to the U.S. mass market. This 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback runs exclusively on electric power. The leaves come in two trim levels, base SV and uplevel SL. All use a 107-horsepower electric motor and lithium-ion battery. Nissan claims a maximum driving range of 100 miles. Leaves charging port can accommodate a 110-volt household outlet or 220-volt. It takes about 20 hours to charge from 110-volt outlet. Using a special station at home 220-volt charging, fully charged takes about 8 hours. SL models are available with port "quick charge" that can charge to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes. The leaves come only with single-speed transmission that functions like automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain side airbags. A navigation system is standard on all. SL model has a rearview camera and a small roof mounted solar panels, which provide cost drip into 12-volt batteries that power accessory items, such as the climate system.
The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead mobility into the zero-emission era. To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely new chassis and body layout.
"Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that's what we've created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility," said Masato INOUE, Product Chief Designer.
Nissan LEAF's frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, "This car is special." But the headlights do more than make a statement. They are also designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy.
Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish cabin environment. An environmentally friendly "blue earth" color theme originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF's introductory model. This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard highlights and instrument illumination.
Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance include partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local governments in the Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.
In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:
* Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public and private investment,
* Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments, and
* Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero-emissions mobility.
