Nissan unveils the LEAF, its first mass-production electric vehicle

Nissan has released this weekend the first pictures and information on the new LEAF, its first mass-produced all-electric car. The Japanese company expects to start selling the car by the end of 2010 in Japan, USA and Europe.



With a recharging time of 8 hours in a regular 200V outlet, LEAF is able to reach a top speed of 140 km/h. Nissan does not inform how long it takes for the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, but it should not be very long, once it presents a 280 Nm engine, able to generate 80 kW (109 bhp). A single full charge provides a range of 160 km. A fast charger provides 70% of the charge in 30 minutes.

LEAF is 4.45 m long, 1.77 m wide, 1.55 m tall and bears a wheelbase of 2.70 m, what makes it a very roomy hatchback, able to carry up to five people. Although it is very similar to Tiida/Latio, LEAF is built over a dedicated platform, according to Nissan.

The Japanese automaker does not say how much the car will cost, it only gives us a hint on that: it will be the same price of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. In other words, expect its price to be around US$ 20,000.











Source: Nissan