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.

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY INTRODUCE HYBRID CARS TO FLEET OF POLICE RESPONSE VEHICLES

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today deployed 40 Nissan Altima Hybrids as the first alternative fuel vehicles to be used as marked and unmarked patrol cars in the Police Department’s fleet. The Altima Hybrids have been assigned to areas of the city where their fuel efficiency presents the greatest economic and environmental benefit – both in precincts with a large coverage area and smaller precincts prone to heavy stop-and-go traffic. The 40 hybrid vehicles, 18 marked and 22 unmarked, will be used in patrol precincts and other units in all five boroughs. The hybrid Altimas are partially funded by the intra-agency Energy Conservation Steering Committee, created by Executive Order signed by Mayor Bloomberg in 2007 and chaired by Deputy Mayor for Operations Edward Skyler.

“These new patrol cars will help fulfill the PlaNYC goal of reducing City government’s carbon footprint,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Through savings in fuel, these Altimas can quickly cover their additional cost, from then they will save taxpayers money – another example of how going green is good for our environment and our pocketbooks.”

“The NYPD embraces innovation when it doesn’t compromise performance or safety to our personnel and the public,” said Commissioner Kelly. “We want to get the most mileage out of technology where it makes sense – with the addition of these hybrids, we’re doing that literally.”

While the Altima hybrids are the first alternate fuel vehicles to be used as regular police cars, the NYPD already uses hybrid vehicles in its parking enforcement fleet as well as electric scooters. The Police Department also has 10 GMC Yukon Hybrid SUVs employed by NYPD Duty Captains for marked patrol. Additionally, police officers utilize T-3 personal movers in city parks, stadiums and beaches. The Nissan Altima Hybrids account for 40 of over 100 total hybrid vehicles the Department is expected to deploy this year.

The Nissan Altima Hybrids were acquired earlier this year following evaluation and testing by the Police Department’s Fleet Services Division and Driver Training Unit. At $25,391 per vehicle, the Altima hybrids cost about $1,500 more than the conventional Impala. At 35 miles per gallon for city driving, the hybrid Altima gets double the gas mileage of the Impala, which gets only 16 miles per gallon. The Altima hybrids, manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee and outfitted with equipment specialized for patrol, will be used in addition to the Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Crown Victoria. The Department also uses Dodge Chargers, mainly for highway patrol. As with all hybrid technology vehicles, the Altima switches between gasoline engine and electric motor. After a year of monitoring the vehicles performance the Department will determine whether to further expand them into the fleet. The Nissan Altima Hybrids will bring to over 170 the total number of hybrid vehicles the Department is expected to deploy this year.

In July 2008, Mayor Bloomberg put forth a long-term action plan to achieve the PlaNYC goal of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the City’s municipal buildings and operations by 30 percent by 2017. The long-term plan, available on nyc.gov, is a comprehensive guide to reducing the City’s carbon footprint, through making City buildings more efficient, improving preventative maintenance, capturing energy potential at wastewater treatment plants, and more. To meet its 30 percent reduction goal by 2017, the City must produce 1.68 million fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) annually compared with 2006 levels. This will be achieved through an aggressive capital improvement program for the City’s facilities, and significant enhancements to its current operations and maintenance practices. The projects in the long-term plan, including the purchase of some of the Nissan Altima hybrids, will be partially funded by an annual commitment of 10 percent of the City’s energy budget, which in fiscal year 2009 is $100 million. City government accounts for approximately 6.5 percent of New York City’s total energy usage and 10 percent of its peak electricity demand.

There will be a gas engine along with a highly economical full plug-in EV mode for city driving, ideal for places where charging stations are available. Estimates point to a fuel economy figure of 35mpg for the 370Z Hybrid. Tech firm NEC will partner with Nissan in manufacturing the hi-tech lithium ion battery pack, which is said to have about twice the energy density of the typical nickel metal batteries.