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New for 2010 

Nissan differs considerably from the traditional design of electric vehicles (EVs) with the Nissan LEAF. Wishing to avoid the prejudice that EVs are toy cars that can't travel far or carry much, the LEAF has been designed to travel an impressive 100 miles between charges. The car is also reported to be able to carry up to five people comfortably.

According to Nissan, the car's name has two meanings. LEAF stands for "Leading, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable, Family Car." The name also highlights the LEAF's environmentally-friendly engineering. Nissan says, "Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience."

The LEAF takes some of its styling cues from the Nissan Murano, but mostly it's intended to look like any other affordable small hatchback. Nissan claims it didn't want to make the LEAF stand out as an EV since traditional eco-car styling can be polarizing. They also wanted to emphasize the car's utility. In addition to its people-hauling capabilities, the LEAF should have a generous cargo volume -- both of which are uncommon for EVs.

LEAF models will have a lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged using a 220-volt outlet or at a charge station. It is reported to make 107 horsepower and reach a top speed of around 90 mph - impressive figures for an affordable EV.

What the Auto Press Says 

The automotive press seems enthusiastic about Nissan's promise that the LEAF will be the first genuinely affordable EV. They like the fact that it has a stylish interior with high-tech amenities, but are disappointed that the car's looks don't really make it stand out.

Here is what the press has to say about the 2010 Nissan LEAF: 

• "The interior is at once handsome and spacious, with what appears to be plenty of room both front and rear for real-sized adults, and the cargo area is very deep, as it is unencumbered by a gas tank assembly (the batteries are mounted beneath the seats within the wheelbase)." -- Autoblog
• "The acceleration and handling were impressive and, importantly, it felt steady and secure." -- BusinessWeek
• "For all of the buildup and anticipation, the Leaf is unlikely to turn many heads when it hits the streets in select markets in late 2010. Even when dressed up in brilliant blue green paint, there is no disguising the rather pedestrian proportions of this compact, traditionally shaped C-segment hatchback." -- Motor Trend
• "To the degree that price matters, Nissan's also got a big edge in the EV world. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the company insists the Leaf will be ‘affordable' with pricing equivalent to a well-equipped C-class (compact) car." -- Edmunds

Key Details 

Pricing hasn't yet been announced for the 2010 Nissan LEAF, but Nissan says it will be competitively priced as a compact. Initial estimates put the car's price at around $30,000. It's important to note, however, that the cost of the LEAF's battery pack (around $10,000) won't be included in the overall price. Once the cars go into mass production, however, it is expected that their battery prices will drop.

Charging the car can be done in one of two ways. At home, with a regular 220-volt outlet, the car can be charged fully in eight hours. The alternative is to use a charging station which will give the car an 80 percent charge in only 30 minutes. Nissan claims to be partnering with 28 cities worldwide to plan for the construction of these charging stations in order to make way for a new era of EVs.

Of particular note is the LEAF's innovative onboard computer. It's designed to offer traditional entertainment and navigation functions, but also to monitor the car's charge level in terms of the "reachable area" based on its remaining charge. It will have a satellite link to indicate where the nearest charge stations are and even be able to send messages to a person's smart phone to let the owner know when the car is fully charged.

Stay tuned for more details and a full review of the 2010 Nissan LEAF.