The Nissan LEAF is the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car. The car was specifically designed for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis. The Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback. The vehicle seats 5 adults comfortably. It also has a range of more than 100 miles. The Nissan LEAF is earmarked for release in Japan, the United States and Europe for 2010. The car should usher in a new era of mobility or maybe even a zero-emission era. The Nissan LEAF is an embodiment of the Japanese motor manufacturer’s vision for the future and the result of decades of research. The Nissan LEAF features a zero-emission power train and platform, a distinctive design, a real-world range autonomy and connected mobility (with an advanced intelligent transportation or IT system). Just as leaves purify the air in nature, the Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. Nissan expects that the Nissan LEAF will be competitively priced when it’s made available to consumers in late 2010. It will probably be made available to lease first, before going on sale to the public. It will probably only be released in cities / areas where an electric car infrastructure is in place already. The Nissan LEAF was launched at Nissan’s headquarters at the beginning of August this year. This electric car is powered by an array of thin laminated lithium ion cells which are capable of putting out 90 kW of power. The Nissan LEAF’s front-mounted motor delivers 80 kW / 107 hp.
Face it, the Nissan LEAF is not a bad looking car. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m used to the idea of a normal fuel-driven car. The whole concept of the electric car still needs to be imprinted in this auto enthusiast’s mind. It will probably be a while before one can buy a like the Nissan LEAF in the classifieds. It probably will not be released in South Africa. The country has no infrastructure in place to support an electric car.
