Nissan announces national market roll-out plan for LEAF

17,000 future Nissan LEAF drivers have learned when the world’s first affordable all-electric, zero-emission vehicle will be available in their markets. Consumers who have placed reservations for the Nissan LEAF received a communication last month regarding market timing and next steps in ordering the all-electric vehicle.

Nissan LEAF first will be available to consumers in December, in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee. These areas are home to The EV Project – the largest electric vehicle and infrastructure deployment ever undertaken. The EV Project is a result of a partnership with charging infrastructure provider ECOtality and partially funded by a grant from the United States Department of Energy. Customers in these first five launch states were able to place firm orders for the Nissan LEAF in August.

Nissan LEAF will be introduced to Texas and Hawaii shortly thereafter, in January 2011; North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama follow in April 2011. It will be rolled-out to the balance of the nation beginning in fall 2011 with availability in all markets nationwide by the end of that year.

Nissan North America also is informing its consumers that the lithium-ion battery pack that powers the LEAF will carry a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles – matching American market competitive conditions.