Green Cars Get Greener

By Amy Koenig

Nissan’s LEAF is the new kid on the block in the automotive "go green" movement. Plans were revealed for Nissan's first 100 percent electric car in 2009, and they are now taking reservations for purchase pending the late 2010 release.

The LEAF’s primary feature is its zero-emission power train. The electric motor completely replaces the combustion engine. According to Nissan's website, a laminated compact lithium-ion battery powers the motor, generating enough juice to drive 100 miles from a full charge.

Steve Perovich, internet sales manager at Bruce Titus Tacoma Nissan dealership, said his favorite part of the LEAF is the lack of maintenance.

By eliminating the combustion engine, Nissan eliminated the need for certain types of routine maintenance, like oil changes. Tires and brakes are about the only maintenance the LEAF will need, Perovich said.

Nissan is showing confidence in their product by providing a five year or 60 thousand mile warranty for the battery, Perovich said.

Home charging isn't as simple as plugging the car in. According to Nissan’s website, before a LEAF arrives an owner must have their home assessed, an electrician completes an inspection, and a next day quote is issued outlining the cost of installing the charging dock. Installation cost varies depending on the individuals home space.

The charging dock is reminiscent of its fuel counterparts, but the process is much slower. The Tacoma Nissan Dealership will be installing a charging station.

“Nissan is working on the infrastructure of charging stations located in the Seattle metro area as well as the I-5 corridor to Portland. The home charging takes eight hours to recharge while the commercial stations take 26-plus minutes to get to 80 percent capacity,” Perovich said.

However, the LEAF does generate a small amount of its own power.

"Every time you coast or apply the brakes in the Nissan LEAF, the electric motor acts as an electric generator, converting energy that would otherwise be wasted into battery energy," according to Nissan's website.

Nissan also didn't hold back on features designed to improve your driving experience. The headlights in the LEAF are designed to redirect air flow to reduce the interior noise level, according to a Nissan press release.

LEAF also comes equipped with an interactive advance transportation system, also known as IT. The IT program allow LEAF owners to interact with their carx through Bluetooth capabilities in their cellular phones. This allows owners to set charging functions and even turn on the air conditioning, according to a Nissan press release.

The interior of the car is designed around what Nissan calls a blue earth theme, featuring a sleek design with light and dark grays, and panel displays light up in blue. The introductory model will be painted in "Aqua Globe," according to a Nissan press release.

"For the first time, I think at the level of the world the public opinion has absolutely abandoned the idea of cheap oil as a factor for the future," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn in a video of the launch of the LEAF tour at Dodger Stadium in Glendale, Calif. "They are expecting companies to bring the solution, they are expecting governments to facilitate the solution and that, in my opinion, is a big difference from 10 years ago. We're not saying we're launching electric cars, we're saying we're launching affordable electric cars."

“I guess it’s better to go green and all that but I wouldn’t want one,” said University of Washington Tacoma student Robyn Davis. “It doesn’t seem reliable.”

She said that regular cars are mechanical and easier to fix, or figure out what’s wrong. With a battery there is too much risk of getting stranded.

The LEAF has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, also known as MSRP, of $32,780 with federal tax savings ranging from $0 to $7,500. With a 36 month lease that leaves a buyer with an approximate $349 monthly payment, according to the Nissan website.

The LEAF is $4,710 more than the Prius V's MSRP price of $28,070, according to Toyota’s website.

Much like the Toyota Prius, the Nissan LEAF will have limited availability and reservations will be taken for purchase. For $99, consumers can reserve the right to purchase the LEAF.