Nissan Says It Will Sell or Lease Leaf EV With Battery Included in U.S. Market

Nissan Says It Will Sell or Lease Leaf EV With Battery Included in U.S. Market

By Scott Doggett February 11, 2010

By Scott Doggett and John O'Dell

Nissan today announced that it will make its Leaf battery-electric vehicle available to U.S. consumers via lease or sale in a single transaction that includes the battery.

Nissan has said it plans to sell the zero-emissions, five-passenger car without the pricey battery in the rest of the world - to keep its cost competitive with the Honda Civic and other vehicles in its class. The battery would be leased separately.

Nissan executives were concerned, however, that U.S. buyers would balk at the idea of buying an EV that came without an essential piece of the electric powertrain.

Today the company made clear its intention to sell the battery-electric vehicle in one package in the U.S.

That likely means Leaf buyers in the U.S. will have to plunk down more cash, or finance a greater amount, than buyers elsewhere - although they will be relieved of carrying a separate monthly battery lease.

The Japanese automaker has not indicated the starting price of the vehicle, but did disclose today the steps necessary to get your hands on one:

• Register: Interested people can register for more information about the Leaf on www.NissanUSA.com. Registrants - there are close to 50,000 already - will be given first priority to reserve a Leaf.
• Reserve: The reservation process will begin in April, shortly after the price is announced. Upon paying a fully refundable $100 reservation fee, registrants will be among the first in line to order a Leaf.
• Order: Nissan will begin taking firm orders in August, for delivery when sales begin in the buyer's particular market.
  
• Delivery: Rollout begins in select markets in December (think coastal and Gulf regions), and Nissan expects the Leaf to be available nationally by the end of 2011.

Nissan previously announced that AeroVironment will supply and install home charging stations for the Leaf. They will be available at the sale of each Leaf, creating a one-stop shop for the vehicle and its charging equipment.

The car will be powered by an advanced, lithium-ion battery pack that will provide a drive range of 100 miles on a full charge.

The home-charging stations are designed to be installed with a connection to a 220-volt line. It will take eight hours to fully charge the Leaf from a fully discharged state, Nissan says.

And in a final bit of news relating to the Leaf, Nissan today announced "a joint commitment" with the Hertz rental car company to rent Leafs in the U.S. and Europe beginning next year.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.