Nissan invites 500 to test-drive LEAF in Japan

June 15, 2010 Omar Rana 2011, Compact Cars, electric-cars, electric-vehicles, Nissan LEAF, Nissan LEAF EV, plug-in hybrids

Nissan has invited around 500 people to its Oppama, Japan plant to experience the world”s first mass-production, electric-car, the Nissan LEAF. The world-exclusive preview will be held from June 11-19, 2010.

“Media, Nissan shareholders, government officials, analysts and some of the first customers to place reservations for Nissan LEAF will get the chance to experience the benefits of this practical, affordable and fun to drive all-electric car when they get behind the wheel of the first production test units,” Nissan said in a statement.

Nissan LEAF will be on sale in Japan, the United States, Portugal and the Netherlands starting in December and in the United Kingdom and Ireland starting February 2011. Mass production and marketing will begin in 2012. Production will start in October at the Oppama plant in Japan. The second half of 2012 will see production at the Smyrna, Tenn., plant in the U.S., followed by production in the UK at the Sunderland plant in 2013.

Click here for more news on the Nissan Leaf.

Refresher: Power for the Nissan Leaf comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan Leaf allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Prices for the 2011 Nissan LEAF will start at $32,780 but with a federal tax-credit prices will come in as low as $25,280, or for a lease payment of $349 a month.