LEAF Models

The LEAF comes in two models. Both models allow buyers the opportunity to take advantage of the federal income tax credit (up to $7,500) as well as state and local tax incentives.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the Nissan LEAF SV is $32,780. The Leaf SL costs $33,720. Not including delivery and dealer prep fees and this will vary from dealer to dealer.

All LEAF's come standard with remote start and remote charging operated through a smart phone app or laptop computer, navigation, XM Satellite Radio, vehicle dynamic control, traction control, LED headlamps, Bluetooth, Smart Key, six airbags, recycled cloth seat fabric, regenerative braking, 3 years roadside assistance, 16" alloy wheels, standard charging port-240V, and a Portable -120V Trickle Charge Cable. The LEAF's lithium ion battery pack warranty provides coverage for eight years or 100,000 miles. Rumor has it these batteries costs Nissan $18,000 each.

The top of the line LEAF SL comes with extra features, including leather trim, a rear-view camera, cargo cover, automatic headlights, fog-lights and the Homelink Universal Transceiver for those with automatic garage doors. It has a Photovoltaic solar panel mounted in the rear spoiler that collects sunlight and changes it into electricity while the automobile sits outside. The spoiler-mounted solar panel only charges the 12-volt power source for accessories.

A lithium ion battery pack serves as the electric motor's heart. It has a life expectancy between five and ten years. Charging batteries is accomplished through one of two frontal charging receptacles. The standard receptacle is designed to receive 120/220-volts of AC power, while a quick-charge receptacle accepts 500-volts of DC power.

Most owners will charge their LEAF by using the 220-volt receptacle, which takes 8 hours to deliver a full charge. Using a standard wall outlet restores approximately 5 miles to the automobile's range per hour, thus requiring up to 21 hours. The fastest charging option is a $700 accessory, which is available only on the SL and cannot be added post delivery. The optional quick-charge port in the nose will deliver up to 80 percent battery charge in 30 minutes at a public charging station.

A LEAF SV equipped with the quick-charge option will certainly contribute to a higher resale value than the slower charging and less luxurious models.

No matter what your opinion is on electric automobiles, the Nissan L-EAF is making a big impression on both consumers and the industry. In our opinion, Nissan has revolutionized electric vehicles by finally delivering an EV with an aesthetically pleasing and modern appearance. Potential buyers expecting a boxy electric car will be pleasantly surprised.

The LEAF is styled like a sedan or hatchback with a sleek frontal V-shape. It looks similar to a Toyota Prius. The automobile is currently available in five tempting exterior colors. These include black, blue, red, silver, or white.

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The LEAF is an impressive machine. While the days of long range electric cars are still closer to science fiction than science fact, Nissan is boldly traveling where automobile manufacturers have never successfully gone before. Let us hope this automobile sets the bar and establishes some trends for the next generation EV.