Breaking: Nissan Launches 'LEAF' Electric Car

Nissan has just unveiled a new zero emissions vehicle that is slated to go on sale in Japan, Europe and the United States next year. Called the LEAF, this C-segment (sub-compact) car is powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery packs. Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers.

Output from the lithium-ion battery packs is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Pricing has yet to be released but Nissan aims to give the LEAF an MSRP competitive with well-equipped C-segment cars. That should put it near the $20,000 mark. The car will also qualify for government rebates and tax incentives desigend to help promote the sale of fuel-efficient cars.

“Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-sized, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said the LEAF product boss Masato Inoue.

The first LEAFs will be built at Nissan’s plant in Oppama, Japan with plans to also start production soon at the company’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant. The LEAF is the first of three electric vehicles that Nissan plans to launch in the next few years.

“The Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment – one in with all Nissan employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President Carlos Ghosn. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality – the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced – emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

GALLERY: 2010 Nissan LEAF

Official release after the jump:

NISSAN UNVEILS “LEAF” – THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC CAR

DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY AND REAL-WORLD

REQUIREMENTS

Event ushers in a new era for Nissan and a new era for mobility

YOKOHAMA –

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled 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 more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy

real-world consumer requirements.

NISSAN LEAF

Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan

LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility – the zero-emission era. The car is the

embodiment of Nissan’s radical, transformative vision for the future and the

culmination of decades of investment and research.

“Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment – one in which all Nissan

employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President and CEO Carlos

Ghosn. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality – the

unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced –

emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for

people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

1.Zero-emission power train and platform

2.Affordable pricing

3.Distinctive design

4.Real-world range autonomy – 160km (100 miles)

5.Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

The “LEAF” name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as

leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking

emissions out of the driving experience. Pricing details will be announced

closer to start of sales in late 2010; however, the company expects the car to

be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment

vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of

significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets

around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less

mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF

is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment.

ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY

Nissan LEAF is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which

generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers

80kW/280Nm. This ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that

is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional,

gasoline-powered automobiles.

Unlike internal-combustion engine (ICE) equipped vehicles, Nissan LEAF’s

power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse

gases. A combination of Nissan LEAF’s regenerative braking system and

innovative lithium-ion battery packs enables the car to deliver a driving range

of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge*. (*US LA4 mode)

Extensive consumer research demonstrates that this range satisfies the daily

driving requirements of more than 70% of the world’s consumers who drive

cars.

And, Nissan’s approach makes charging easy and convenient. Nissan LEAF

can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a

quick charger. Charging at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take

approximately eight hours – ample time to enable an overnight refresh for

consumer and car alike.

REAL-WORLD CAR

The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a

competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead mobility

into the zero-emission era. To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo

capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely new chassis and body layout.

”Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists

could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve

created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a

participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said Masato INOUE,

Product Chief Designer.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

Even the smallest details can yield tremendous effect.

Nissan LEAF’s frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped

design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that

employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, “This car is

special.” But the headlights do more than make a statement. They are also

designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus

reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more

benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional

lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy.

Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish

cabin environment. An environmentally friendly “blue earth” color theme

originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF’s introductory

model. This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard

highlights and instrument illumination.

CONNECTED MOBILITY IT SYSTEM

Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected to a

global data center, the system can provide support, information, and

entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.

The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAF’s remaining power – or

“reachable area” – in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging

stations.

Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on

air-conditioning and set charging functions – even when Nissan LEAF is

powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre-

programmed to recharge batteries.

“The IT system is a critical advantage,” says Tooru ABE, Chief Product

Specialist. “We wanted this vehicle to be a partner for the driver and an

enhancement for the passengers. We also wanted this vehicle to help create

a zero-emission community, and these IT features will help make that

possible.”

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY AND ECO-

FRIENDLY INNOVATION

Nissan LEAF is a critical first step in establishing the era of zero-emission

mobility; however, Nissan recognizes that internal-combustion engine (ICE)

technologies will play a vital role in global transportation for decades to

come. Because of this, Nissan is implementing its zero-emission vision

through a holistic approach, which provides consumers a comprehensive

range of eco-friendly technologies from which to choose.

For some consumers, Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, and the only car

they will ever need. For others, Nissan LEAF will be a logical addition to the

family fleet – the optimal choice for the daily commute, for example.

While zero-emission is the ultimate goal, the company is committed to ongoing

innovation in eco-friendly technologies that increase efficiency and reduce

emissions. As a result, Nissan offers a comprehensive suite of automotive

technologies, including CVT, Idle Stop, HEV, Clean Diesel, and ongoing

research and investment in FCV technology.

WORLDWIDE PARTNERS

Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan

Alliance include partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local

governments in the Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly

30 partnerships worldwide.

In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:

1.Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public

and private investment,

2.Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments,

and

3.Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero-

emissions mobility.

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION

Nissan LEAF is the first in the company’s forthcoming line of EVs and is a

major milestone in the realization of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s vision for

zero-emission mobility. The first of Nissan’s EV’s will be manufactured at

Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee,

USA. Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan,

with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other

sites for investment are under study around the world.

ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a global automotive company with vehicle sales of

3.411 million in 2008. Nissan is present in all major auto markets worldwide,

selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and light

commerical vehicles.

NISSAN BLUE CITIZENSHIP

Nissan is committed to making a better world through its commitment to

corporate social responsibility. This includes programs that focus on

technological innovations that focus on people and care for the planet. Our

vision for zero-emission mobility is an outgrowth of our CSR approach, which

we call Blue Citizenship. Together, we are working with our Alliance partner,

Renault, to make a better world through zero-emission mobility.

For more information, please visit the Nissan Zero-Emission website:

http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com