Nissan Leaf From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search Nissan LeafManufacturerNissanProduction2010presentAssemblyJapan: Oppama, Tochigi, YokohamaUnited Kingdom: Sunderland (2013)United States: Smyrna, Tennessee (late 2012)Body style5-door hatchbackLayoutFront-engine, front-wheel drivePlatformNissan V platformElectric motor80kW (110hp), 280Nm (210ftlb) synchronous motor1TransmissionSingle speed direct drive2Battery24 kWh lithium ion batteryRange117km (73mi) (EPA)175km (109mi) (NEDC)76 to 169 km (47 to 105 mi) (Nissan)Wheelbase2,700mm (106.3in)2Length4,445mm (175.0in)2Width1,770mm (69.7in)2Height1,550mm (61.0in)2Curb weight1,521kg (3,354lb)3The Nissan Leaf (also formatted LEAF as a backronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car4) is a five-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan and introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010.567 The US Environmental Protection Agency official range is 117 kilometres (73mi), with an energy consumption of 765 kilojoules per kilometre (34kWh/100mi) and rated the Leafs combined fuel economy at 99 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.4L/100km).89 The Leaf has a range of 175km (109mi) on the New European Driving Cycle.10Deliveries to individual customers began in the United States and Japan in December 2010, in Ireland in February 2011 and the UK in March 2011. As of November 2011 the Leaf deliveries had also taken place in Canada, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.111213 Sales in Belgium are scheduled for late 2011, Denmark in early 2012, and global market availability is expected for 2012.14 According to Nissan initial availability is limited in quantities and to select markets. The availability was increased throughout 2011; U.S. production will begin in 2012, and UK production is planned for 2013.151617 Since December 2010 more than 27,000 Leafs have been sold worldwide by April 2012.18 The top selling markets are Japan, with 13,000 units, the United States, with more than 11,000 units, and Europe with 3,000 units, led by Norway with more than 1,000 Leafs sold.1819The retail price of the 2011 Leaf in Japan starts at 3.76 million and US$32,780 in the United States; the 2012 Leaf starting price has increased to US$35,200 in the United States, however this includes the Quick Charge Port which was previously a $700 option and a new cold weather package. The price in the United Kingdom is GB30,990 and around 35,000 in the other European countries where it was 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.20212223As 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.2425 Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award,26 the 2011 European Car of the Year,27 the 2011 World Car of the Year,28 and the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan.29Contentshide 1 History of development 2 Specifications o 2.1 Design o 2.2 Powertrain o 2.3 Battery o 2.4 Range o 2.5 Operating costs o 2.6 Recharging o 2.7 Technology o 2.8 Safety 3 Production 4 Markets o 4.1 Canada o 4.2 China o 4.3 Europe o 4.4 Japan o 4.5 United States o 4.6 Other countries 5 Problems reported 6 Related concept cars 7 Reception 8 See also 9 References 10 External links edit History of developmentThe Nissan Cube-derived EV-01 test car was Nissans first prototype with the all-electric drive train later used in the Leaf.The EV-12 test car was based on the Nissan Tiida/Versa.Nissan introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Altra at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997.30 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.3132 Nissan also developed the Nissan Hypermini, ran a demonstration program and sold limited numbers for government and corporate fleets in Japan between 1999 and 2001.33 A small fleet of Hyperminis was also field tested in several cities in California between 2001 and 2005.34Unveiled in 2009, the EV-11 prototype electric car was based on the Nissan Tiida (Versa in North America), but with the conventional gasoline engine replaced with an all-electric drivetrain, and included an 80kW (110hp)/280Nm (210lbft) electric motor, 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack rated to have a range of 175 kilometres (109mi) on the United States Environmen