subject: The Very First Electric Car Is Coming To The U.s Just In Time For Christmas - The Nissan Leaf [print this page] Famed bicyclist Lance Armstrong will be the first person in the states to drive the Nissan Leaf on September 3 of 2010, which is three months before it will be released for sale in December. This should not be a big surprise considering the fact that Nissan is a major sponsor of Armstrong in the Tour de France. Armstrong has appeared in numerous commercials promoting the Leaf. This arrival of the Leaf is a big deal because this will be the first time that an electric car will be available for mass sale in America.
The Leaf is a good looking five-door hatchback with sleek curves and a futuristic design. Obviously the Leaf won't have a fuel door or exhaust pipe since its electric and it will be available in five colors; blue, red, silver, white and black. The car's edgy look is accented by sixteen inch alloy wheels, an aerodynamic under body and a spoiler. The headlights really stands out because it has a blue design which actually divert airflow away from the doors in order to ensure a more comfortable ride. On top of that, these lights actually use fifty percent less electricity than a standard bulb, which is very fitting when you consider how green this car is. The Leaf will be available in two versions : SV and SL.
A lithium-ion battery pack powers this car with 107 HP. It will take around four to eight hours to charge the Leaf but a commercial charging station can get it done much quicker in around thirty minutes. This car can go pretty fast; it can reach speeds of up to ninety miles an hour and will be able to travel around one hundred miles before it needs to be re-charged. There is a display which shows how much power you have left and the locations of any nearby charging stations.
Tax credits will enable consumers to save a lot on the purchase of this green car. After a credit of $7,500, the base price will drop to around $25k from the standard $32,780 price tag. It will cost around $2,000 to have a special charging station installed in your home which will be able to charge the car in thirty minutes but some states offer tax incentives which almost recoup this expense. When you consider the tax credit, this car is actually an amazing deal.
You would expect such a futuristic car to have all sorts of technological advanced gadgets and this car definitely delivers! A navigation system comes standard with the car and an advanced feature lets you actually heat and cool your car from your phone before you get in, just perfect for those cold winter days or blistering hot summers. The audio system offers satellite radio, 6 speakers and is compatible with Ipod music players. Safety features include airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, front and rear stabilizer bars, a tire pressure monitoring system and a vehicle security system.
The Nissan Leaf is truly a revolutionary car because this will be the very first time in history that an electric car will be available to the public at such a grand scale. This is the perfect car if you want to go green and want to experience the latest automotive technology. Lance Armstrong will get his Leaf in September but the rest of us will be able to experience this car for ourselves just in time for Christmas. With the tax credits applied, this car is priced just right. If you are looking to go green then check out the Leaf at a Nissan dealer near you this December!
