Automobile Blog

We’ve seen electric cars before. And while the promise of never having to buy gas is appealing, there’s always been a catch. Limited range. Slow. Seats only two. Weird looking. Expensive. But technology marches on, and now the world is about to get its first practical all-electric car. It’s from Nissan, and it’s called the LEAF™. Not to be confused with a hybrid, the LEAF is a 100% electric vehicle that burns zero gas and produces zero emissions². And it really does seem to address the many compromises long associated with the electric car. Starting with how far it can go.

Needless to say, batteries have long been the Achilles heel of electric vehicles, seriously limiting their range. But Nissan engineers have been working hard, and have developed state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries that give it a range of 100 miles on a single charge¹. The vast majority of Americans travel less than that in a single day. Which means the LEAF has enough range for most of us to get to work and back - plus drop the kids off for soccer practice, run to the mall, pick the kids up and then return home, with miles to spare!

Past electric cars have, by necessity, asked us to give up practicality, as battery technology of the day necessitated very small, very light (and often very weird looking) vehicles. But the Nissan LEAF is, in every way, a real car. It has 5 doors and seats 5 passengers. It has room to carry stuff. It’s equipped with advanced air bags, premium radio and a navigation system. Power? 100% of torque is available the moment you press the pedal³, and the LEAF is capable of speeds of up to 90 mph. Style? As you can see, the LEAF is a pleasant surprise: an attractive car with a fresh, distinctive look. What's more, this is an electric car wearing the Nissan badge. Nissan quality should allay any concerns over reliability — something of a question mark in past electric cars.

By now you're probably thinking there still must be a catch, starting with a big dollar sign. But believe it or not, Nissan promises the LEAF will have a sticker price comparable to equivalent gas-powered vehicles. Add in all the money you won’t be spending on gas — plus legendary Nissan quality — and the new LEAF promises to be a practical, affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to both hybrids and traditional gas-powered cars. You might even say Nissan’s LEAF turns over a new leaf in the history of automobiles.