The Leaf's retail price in Japan starts at ¥3.76 million and US$32,780 in the United States. The price in the United Kingdom is GB£30,990 and around €35,000 in the other six European countries where it will be launched first. These prices include the price of the battery package. Most countries have applicable tax incentives or subsidies for eligible buyers that reduce the effective cost of purchase below the retail prices listed by Nissan.
The Nissan Leaf (also formatted "LEAF" as a backronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) is a five-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan and introduced in Japan and the U.S. in December 2010. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official range is 117 kilometres (73 mi), with an energy consumption of 765 kJ/km (34 kWh per 100 miles) and rated the Leaf's combined fuel economy at 99 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent. The Leaf has a range of 175 km (109 mi) on the New European Driving Cycle.
Deliveries to individual customers began in the United States and Japan in December 2010, in Ireland in February 2011 and in the U.K. in March 2011. Deliveries to corporate customers began in Portugal in December 2010 and sales to individuals are expected to begin in early 2011. Sales to individuals are scheduled to begin in the Netherlands in June 2011, followed by Switzerland, Spain, and France, with global market availability planned for 2012. According to Nissan initial availability is limited in quantities and to select markets and only for customers who made online reservations. The availability will be increased by the second quarter of 2011 with U.S. production planned for 2012.
Elegant Blue Nissan leaf performance
As an all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf produces no tailpipe pollution or greenhouse gas emissions at the point of operation, and reduces dependence on petroleum. Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award award,the 2011 European Car of the Year award,the 2011 World Car of the Year, and ranks as the most efficient EPA certified vehicle for all fuels ever.
Nissan introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Altra at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997. The Altra EV was produced between 1998 and 2002, only about 200 vehicles were ever produced, and it was mainly used as a fleet vehicle for companies such as electric utilities.
The Leaf's frontal style is characterized by a sharp V-shape design with large, up slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that create a distinctive blue internal reflective design. The headlights also split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, which reduces wind noise and drag. The headlights consume 50% less electricity than halogen lamps. Nissan sought to make the Leaf appealing to mainstream drivers by giving it a familiar sedan- and hatchback-like design.The bottom of the car has aerodynamic paneling to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics as much as possible.