So, does the Leaf live up to it’s electricity-sipping hype? Inside Line editor Dan Edmunds gave us a long term review.

The Leaf may not exactly hit that 99 mile range it promoted last year, but a 76.7 mile single charge range was recorded during real world testing. Also, the Nissan Leaf consumed 34 kWh per 100 miles for the month, which is on par with its EPA estimates.

Leaf is powered by a rechargeable electric battery powerplant. A 240V charger can be purchased through Nissan and installed in your home easily and quickly. We’ll report back soon to see if Inside Line can improve that real-world range top number.

According to Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury, “I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is – and will remain – so very special.”

As previously reported, the Leaf features an electric motor that produces 107 horsepower / 206 lb-ft of torque. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which allows the car to travel approximately 99 miles on a single charge. Once depleted, the battery can be fully recharged in eight hours using a standard household outlet.

The Source: WCF

From Free Press: More than 6,600 people had reserved a Nissan Leaf by Friday morning, just a few days after the automaker started taking reservations for the all-electric vehicle. 

The reservations come from potential buyers in the U.S. who paid a $99 refundable deposit to reserve their Leaf. The hatchback Leaf, slated to drive about 100 miles per charge, is to be priced at $32,780, before a $7,500 tax credit.

The company’s goal is to have 20,000 reservations by the time the vehicle goes on sale in select markets, including Washington, Oregon and California, in December.

Nissan has dropped a sticker of “$32,780—or less” for their Leaf EV. How can it be “less” – that all depends on your tax breaks state-to-state. See, anyone who buys a hybrid or electric vehicle is eligible for thousands of dollars in tax rebates from the government. Amounts tend to vary by state or the type of vehicle purchased. For example: California has a $5000 rebate, Georgia offers a $5000 tax credit, and Oregon will offer a $1500 tax credit.

If your state offers decent incentives, you could be looking at an all new 2011 Leaf for only $27,000.

Nissan begins taking reservations for Leaf April 20. Buyers interested must also pay a refundable $99 reservation fee starting that day. Leaf will be available in certain markets this December, with a national roll-out by 2011.

Source: Car and Driver

According to designers who chatted with Financial Times, “The Nissan Leaf will be equipped with a 24kWh Lithium Ion battery manufactured by NEC and, over time, the performance of the battery will decline. This is the nature of batteries. When the battery’s capacity reaches 80% of it’s original, it’ll need to be replaced…The plan will also help to reduce the purchase and lease prices of the Nissan Leaf by offsetting the high additional cost of battery.”

And from the press release via Nissan:
The world’s first EV designed for large-scale volume production
• High-performance, zero-emission power train and platform take the “joy of driving” to another dimension.
• A design that evokes a clean and intelligent image and a body that achieves optimal aerodynamics and wind noise characteristics are packaged into this innovative and original five-passenger, five-door hatchback.
• Has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge, which is sufficient for most daily needs.
• Features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. Navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots with a touch of a button.

honestly, we can’t wait to give one a test ride – but for now we hope you enjoy the Leaf Photos… and your daydreaming.
Source: Jalopnik

Nissan LEAF is our first zero-emissions electric car. Don’t confuse it with a hybrid or any other type of gas-powered, eco-friendly vehicle. This is electric – 100%. That means it burns zero gas and produces zero emissions. But this is no golf-cart. Off the line, Nissan LEAF performs like a V6. Plus, there’s room for five, and it comes with all the quality, reliability and versatility you’ve come to expect from Nissan cars.

- Zero tailpipe emissions
- 100% electric — no gas required
- Competitively priced
- Speeds up to 90 mph
- 5 passengers, 5 doors
- Advanced airbags, premium audio, Nissan navigation system, and more

Nissan didn’t announce a price tag on their Leaf, although they claim it will be an affordable, C-segment model. Nissan also states their electric car will be cheaper to maintain, due to less moving parts – and will fall under Government guidelines for tax exemption and/or rebates on fuel efficient/alt. energy vehicles.

The Leaf uses a laminate lithium-ion battery pack with an output of over 90 kilowatts. The car’s drive motor puts out 80 kilowatts of power, substantial enough to give it performance equivalent to a gas-powered car. Nissan claims the Leaf has a range of over 100 miles, fairly typical for electric car projects from other automakers. The Leaf uses regenerative braking, and has a recharge time of 30 minutes to get the battery pack up to 80 percent using a quick charger. From a 200 volt source, the Leaf takes 8 hours to recharge.

The Leaf will be built in Japan, as well as their United States plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Source: CNET