Lofty, Leafy Desires Automoblog.net (blog)
Nissan began it’s online reservation process of the Nissan LEAF a few days ago. In lieu of Earth Day today, what better time to launch the first all-electric vehicle to hit the North American market? Eager customers were given a questionnaire to answer, then asked for their credit card information for the $99 (refundable) reservation line-holder fee. The car itself won’t be available until mid-2011 and will be available in two trim levels: the base SV and the higher-end SL model with parking camera, solar-panel sun roof, fog lights and auto on-off headlights. And what will this nifty little electric vehicle cost in the end? Well, the price is set at $32,780 and you’ll be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. There are also leasing options available on a 36-month term which will set you back $349/month with an initial payment of $1,999.
Now, I get the allure of the Nissan LEAF, I really do. It’s an electric car. We’ve all been salivating at the bit for an all-electric vehicle. While GM has just taken entirely too long (and is expected to release the car in November of 2011, after the LEAF), MINI came to the market with an all-electric vehicle nearly a year ago with the MINI E. Currently there are 600 drivers in the US, UK and Germany driving the MINI E on “loan” to test it’s usability and practicality. It’s interesting that more attention hasn’t been paid to this pilot project.
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