| Nissan Motor Company recently made an exciting | | | | expects the car to reach a top speed of around 80 |
| announcement regarding its future automobile lineup. | | | | miles per hour and would have a range of |
| Their small four seat electric hatchback, unveiled as | | | | approximately 100 miles per charge. This distance will |
| the Nissan Leaf, is set to hit the market in 2010 and | | | | meet the needs of nearly 80% of the world's |
| become one of their standard production vehicles by | | | | commuters. |
| 2012. Final prices for the vehicle have not been | | | | The Leaf utilizes technology very similar to that of |
| released, but expensive battery technology may | | | | the Chevrolet Volt. A standard plug adapter is used |
| cause the car to be rather pricey. Nissan Chief | | | | to charge the Leaf's lithium ion batteries while the |
| Executive Carlos Ghosn has stated that their hopes | | | | vehicle is parked overnight. A typical charge may |
| are to bring the price of the Leaf in line with other | | | | take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. The electric |
| standard vehicles of similar size. | | | | engine is the primary form of propulsion in the small |
| The Japanese automaker has high hopes for its entry | | | | hatchback. In addition to the electric motor |
| into the electric vehicle market. Ghosn said that he | | | | technology, the Leaf will also have a gasoline |
| believes fully electric automobiles will represent | | | | combustion engine that will switch on to assist in the |
| approximately 10% of the global fleet by 2020. | | | | charging of the lithium ion batteries. Regenerative |
| Nissan executives have decided to make a very | | | | braking also contributes to keeping the electric engine |
| aggressive push into the electric vehicle market to | | | | powered. With regenerative braking, energy from |
| show consumers their dedication to alternative | | | | applying pressure on the brakes is captured and |
| technologies and promote a reduction of harmful | | | | stored in the car's batteries. Just like a majority of |
| emissions. The Leaf represents all of their hopes for | | | | hybrids and electric vehicles, the Leaf's engine will |
| the future of automobiles. | | | | automatically shut off when the vehicle is stopped. |
| In addition to the ability to conserve fuel, the Leaf | | | | This helps conserve energy and fuel that is typically |
| also provides a zero-emission alternative to the | | | | wasted while idling. |
| standard fossil fuel burning vehicles. When running | | | | With a look that appeals to a slightly different niche |
| solely from electric charge, the car itself will not emit | | | | than the Volt, the Nissan Leaf should be a very |
| any harmful substances into the environment. Nissan | | | | successful entry into the electric auto market. |