Supposedly due out late 2010, looks kinda interesting. Unfortunately, there isn't much technical info at the site:
http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index.jsp. But after a little digging around, here are some highlights/comments:
- Uses 90kw/24kwh Lithium Ion batteries.
- 87mph top speed.
- 110hp / 210ft-lb torque
- Can charge via 440v AC (charges to 80% in 30 minutes), 220v AC (4 hour charge), and 110v AC (8 hour charge).
- 100 mile range in city. Highway mileage in the air right now due to the possible poor aerodynamics for high speeds, and the fact that the motor is more efficient at low speeds. So, I imagine highway mileage will be lower; probably similar to how combustion engine mileage varies, but in reverse.
- Said to cost ~$3 per charge. So, $3 per 100 miles. Most cars can get around 300 miles on a tank of gas, so that would be $9 per "fillup". Even if that $3 is optimistic, double that value is still pretty decent.
- Can communicate via cell phone to let the user know charge level. Probably other stuff too, but I don't think I'll enjoy conversing with my car, so this isn't a big deal to me.
- I don't like the front mounted charge receptacle. Last thing I want to do at the end of a drive is open a little door covered in bug guts when plugging it in. I think they should have put it on one side or the other.
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