Massachusetts Nissan Dealerships to Rake in Green LEAFs this Fall

QUINCY, MASS. (07/27/2011)(readMedia)-- After what may seem like ages to some, the eagerly anticipated Nissan LEAF will finally turn up at Massachusetts Nissan dealers this fall as a 2012 model. The innovative all-electric car began arriving last December in a handful of U.S. states, but has remained out of reach for the majority of Americans looking for the latest in green transportation.

Capable of traveling about 100 miles between charges, the 2012 Nissan LEAF will now feature its cold weather package, previously an option only, as a standard feature, which will be welcome news to Massachusetts Nissan drivers preparing for another New England winter. The package includes a battery heater, heated mirrors, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and an HVAC duct for the rear seating area. The 2012 model will also feature a quick-charge port as standard equipment, an option that previously came with a $700 price tag.

"Massachusetts drivers have been waiting for a while to get their hands on the LEAF, but at least now they have the comfort of knowing they'll be getting an improved version of the best-selling electric car in America," said Paul Butts, general manager of Greater Boston Nissan dealer Quirk Nissan. "Massachusetts consumers are eco-conscious, but they're also practical about how they spend their money. An electric car eliminates the need to pay outrageous gas prices and can charge overnight for the next day's commute, which makes it a common-sense investment."

Through early July, more than 4,000 units of the Nissan LEAF had been sold in the United States this year. Those numbers have bested sales of the competing Chevy Volt despite the LEAF only being offered in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Washington. With the LEAF's availability spreading across the nation, those sales should only increase. Nissan says more than 350,000 potential buyers have registered for updates at its website.

In order to meet higher demand, Nissan will start producing additional units of the LEAF at a new manufacturing complex in Smyrna, Tennessee scheduled to come online in late 2012. Adding to existing LEAF inventory coming from Japan, the manufacturing of the electric car in the United States is expected to boost production by up to 150,000 units annually – enough, Nissan hopes, to meet global demand.

While the standard features on the Nissan LEAF have expanded for 2012 model year, the drivetrain and external appearance will remain unchanged. LEAF cars all come with an 80 kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, powering the vehicle to speeds up to 90 mph without any tailpipe emissions. Charging can be completed through a standard 120-volt wall outlet, a 240-volt home charging dock, or by utilizing the now-standard 50 kW DC fast-charging port, which can get an 80-percent charge in less than 30 minutes.

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