Nissan to begin retail sales of 5,000 Leaf EVs next year in major U.S. markets
2010 Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for hi-res image gallery
Nissan is wasting little time in planning for the release of its recently-announced Leaf electric car. Perhaps the reason details of the car's U.S. launch were so slim at launch is because Nissan was waiting for the official announcement of the Obama administration's $2.4 billion investment into electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them, $99.8 million of which has been awarded to eTec, a division of ECOtality that specializes in electric vehicle charging systems.
That sum of money (to be matched by "regional project participants"), will allow eTec to install 2,500 EV charging stations in Tennessee, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and the Phoenix/Tucson region in Arizona. Of course, chargers aren't any good without any vehicles to plug into them, so Nissan has pledged to support the project with up to 1,000 new Leaf EVs in each of these selected markets.
This announcement puts retail sales of the upcoming Leaf two years ahead of the previously-planned schedule. Nissan hopes to gather information on the charging patterns of these initial 5,000 Leaf owners, so buyers will need to agree to carry an onboard data logger that will be monitored by the automaker and the U.S. Department of Energy. Click past the break for the official press release.
Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV
[Source: Nissan]
PRESS RELEASE:
NISSAN SUPPORTS ELECTRIC VEHICLE & INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT PROJECT
Dept. of Energy Grant Helps Ready Markets for Zero Emissions
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Aug. 5, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced a grant for the largest deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure ever undertaken. Nissan is supporting the lead grant applicant, Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), by pledging to make available up to 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric vehicles in each of five major markets. Nissan, through the Renault-Nissan Alliance, is committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles.
The $99.8 million grant to eTec, which will be matched by regional project participants for a project valued at approximately $199.6 million, is for installation of approximately 2,500 charging stations in each of the selected markets – Tennessee, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and the Phoenix/Tucson region. The project also involves the deployment of up to 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicles in each market.
The project will collect and analyse data characterising vehicle use in diverse topographies and climate conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charging infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for commercial and public charging infrastructure. To test and analyse electric vehicle usage and charging patterns in a simulated, mature charging environment, the deployment of charging infrastructure will target major population areas.
"Nissan appreciates the support of the Department of Energy in helping jumpstart the electrification of the transportation sector," said Scott Becker vice president, Legal and General Counsel, Nissan North America. "This is a major step in promoting zero-emission mobility in the United States. Nissan is looking forward to partnering with eTec to help make electric cars a reality and to help establish the charging networks in key markets."
"This project will enhance America's leadership role in clean electric transportation and exemplifies the Department of Energy's strategic foresight and commitment to improving our environment, economy and energy independence," said Jonathan Read, president and CEO, ECOtality, parent company of eTec. "By developing a rich charge infrastructure in each market, this project will enable a successful consumer experience among early EV adopters and increase market demand for electric transportation."
Nissan on Aug. 2 introduced the Nissan LEAF, the world's first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of 100 miles to satisfy real-world consumer requirements. The Nissan LEAF will launch in the United States in late 2010. U.S. production will begin in late 2012 at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun zero-emissions vehicle initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan, as well as in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, Monaco, the UK, France, Switzerland, Ireland, China and Hong Kong. In the United States, the Alliance is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an EV infrastructure in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Seattle, and Raleigh, N.C.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
meme 4:25PM (8/06/2009)
Where does it say "sale"? Nissan is pledging to "make available", stating that the project involves the "deployment" of the vehicles. Sounds like a lease program to me.
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Mark Kiernan 4:34PM (8/06/2009)
Yeah, it says that the cars will be available but production will be 2 years later. Sounds like the lease of a few thousand.
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lne937s 4:52PM (8/06/2009)
U.S. production from the Tennesee battery production and EV assembly line currently being built goes into effect in 2012. The first 2 years of production are to be imported from Japan.
Serge 4:36PM (8/06/2009)
So the hydrogen chicken-and-egg problem is solved when the Blue Leaf rolls over and crushes both.
Good luck Nissan and Godspeed!
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Nozferat 3:43AM (8/07/2009)
Indeed...we should stop all research on all fronts after this thing comes out....I think that's the plan.
Serge 10:41AM (8/07/2009)
That's not what I said. Please don't confuse the hydrogen bondongle with "research on all fronts". Hydrogen economy has all the benefits for "special interests" and very little of it for the public in general. Therefore, special interests should pony up for research into technologies that benefit them, like they are planning to in Japan http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/08/05/japanese-oil-gas-companies-will-tackle-hydrogen-fueling-infrast/. If public funding has to be tapped, the projects should show the most promise of success, otherwise you run the risk of the likes of Gorr knocking on your door demanding support for their water-powered car.
Nozferat 12:59PM (8/10/2009)
That is exactly what you said.
While there is extremely promising research and breakthroughs occurring right now for H2 storage and use, you're stating we not bother with it. Regardless of where the funds come from, you're paying for it one way or another. Do you think oil companies and battery companies don't recoup their costs via public funding channeled through other sources?
Stop blabbering on about battery corporations not being special interests. They have as much to gain as any oil company does...one is not any better than the other. They are craving for and asking for as much money as they can get from your's truly.
Give me a break.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:41PM (8/06/2009)
I would love to see this car go on sale. But Nissan doesn't promise that.
It's probably EV1 part 3 (BMW MINI E being part 2).
Please tell me the car will be produced elsewhere before the US. Because if it doesn't go into production until late 2012, it'll be a MY2013 (or MY2013.5!) car and that's so long from now it it's hardly even worth thinking about.
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locoyocal 5:01PM (8/06/2009)
I'm not purchasing another car for 10 years, so 2019 will be a go for sure. Batteries will probably be 5k or less, and car at 10k.
Mark 5:08PM (8/06/2009)
What is the cost of this?
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Mark Kiernan 5:10PM (8/06/2009)
Nissan say it will be sold to match an ICE car. Frankly even if it costs $10,000 more than an ICE it will pay for itself over 5 years (at European gas prices)
nrb 10:30PM (8/06/2009)
"Nissan say it will be sold to match an ICE car."
Yea, but they dodge the fact that their ICE car pricing doesn't include the battery. It's easy to make a price competitive EV if you don't include the most expensive part.
Rick 5:15PM (8/06/2009)
I would rather lease this car than buy it. After about 5 - 8 years you're going to have to finance a new battery pack if you buy it. I'm sure the battery will have about a 3 year warranty.
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Ray 5:15PM (8/06/2009)
The cars will originally come from Japan. Towards the end of 2010 some cars will be released to fleet orders. As far as I know the fleet order Leafs will cost $15,000.00 with a DOE grant picking up the remainder of the cost. Oregon applied for DOE grants which will match funds that private companies put up for charging stations and cars. This has not been confirmed yet but will be either confirmed as is or renegotiated with the DOE. My little company has a order in for 3-Leafs and 1 imiev. Not sure what I will do with them if I am able to attain them for $15,000.00 each (I may not be able to utilize them all in my company) but will figure that out later. I do sincerely hope there is no lease on the batteries as I would like to own the car and batteries and not lease. I am lead to believe these are purchases and not leases as of a few months ago when the grants were applied for.. When I find out for sure I will post it.
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Mark Kiernan 5:20PM (8/06/2009)
Thanks Ray for the info. It does appear that they will sell some and perhaps lease others. 15k is a really good price if it is the sale price after DOE incentives. I would love to know what their euro pricing will be, frankly I am willing to pay up to 20k euro but not much more (at time of release)
jake 5:33PM (8/06/2009)
That's pretty quick if it's true. But best wishes to Nissan, since I want one too. I also wouldn't want to lease the battery since a part of the car is still tied to the manufacturer (don't want EV1 part 3 like why not the LS2LS7? says), though some people do want battery leasing because of battery longevity and sticker price reasons. It would be best if they had both options.
Alan 5:44PM (8/06/2009)
If these become available to buy in the UK by 2013 for about the same price as a similar ICE car I'll buy one. The way I see it then the only disadvantage I would have over an ICE will be range, but the running costs will be about a 30th of my current ICE (at todays gas and electricity prices).
Car makers need to really concentrate their emphasis on running costs of EV, sure CO2 emissions etc. etc. is fine, but when people find out they can travel 10,000 for £50 they should see this as a perfect second car in a two car family.
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Alan 8:00AM (8/07/2009)
I think my 30th of the cost was miscalculated, however the conclusion about breaking, even if electricity and petrol stay at current prices in real terms, over 10 years seems about right. I think I would be happy to take a gamble as I do not want to buy another regular ICE car and I do think we need to move away from that technlogy. Should be interesting!
Mark Kiernan 5:45PM (8/06/2009)
I initially preferred an outright purchase of the Leaf but would go with a lease as it means you get a better battery in a few years.
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why not the LS2LS7? 8:51PM (8/06/2009)
There's nothing magic about a lease. If you are getting a new battery in a few years, it's because you're paying for it.