Nissan LEAF delivery time frustrating customers

June 13, 2011June 13, 2011 Omar Rana 2011, Compact Cars, electric-cars, electric-vehicles, LEAF, Nissan LEAF, Nissan LEAF EV

We really didn’t expect things to go very smooth for the world’s first mass-produced electric-vehicle. While the car itself may be innovative and technologically advanced in many ways, the delivery time of the car is strating to aggravate the customers it needs most.

Nissan, which has a target to become the top seller of electric-cars, has repeatedly delayed deliveries to some U.S. buyers who reserved the first 20,000 units.

Click here for more news on the Nissan LEAF.

Customers say that Nissan unexpectedly dropped some from the waiting list, asking that they reapply if they couldn’t prove that they have arranged installation of home-charging unit that can cost more than $2,000.

“My delivery date kept jumping around, from April to ‘pending’ to May to June to July,” said Marc Fishman, a 42- year-old from Burbank, Calif.

For Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn, it just goes to show that the world’s first mass-market electric-car isn’t really ready to hit the masses nationwide.

Click here for our review 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 90 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.