Just days after Nissan confirmed that customer deliveries of the 2011 Leaf would commence in Japan on December 20, Nissan USA has confirmed that the very first customer vehicle will be delivered in a few days’ time, on December 11.
The delivery will be to an unnamed Northern Californian resident and marks the start of Nissan’s official delivery schedule.
Yes, we know world-cycling legend Lance Armstrong took delivery of his all-black LEAF back in October, but since Armstrong was actively involved in advertising the LEAF we feel his car, a pre-production model, doesn’t count.
The delivery will attract the usual pomp and ceremony which comes with the first delivery of a new model, with a media event planned in San Francisco on the day.
Nissan tells us the next consumer delivery is scheduled for Portland, OR, on the 16th.
GreenCarReport’s Best Car To Buy 2011, the 2011 LEAF has an EPA rated range of 73 miles per charge, although we managed much nearer Nissan’s own 100 mile range quote in our own unscientific test-drives.
Packed with features you’d expect in any C segment automobile, the LEAF offers consumers the first real opportunity to own a highway capable electric-only family car. It also features smartphone integration, allowing owners to check on the LEAF’s state of charge remotely as well as remotely pre-heat, pre-cool or start charging.
While some lucky owners may be getting their LEAF pretty soon we’d like to remind readers that Nissan still only plans to deliver a few vehicles over the next few months.
Visiting the various Nissan Leaf owners forums, we’ve learned that some consumers have already had visits from approved electricians to get their homes ready to charge the LEAF using hard-wired Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
As for the two LEAF orders from HighGearMedia staff? Our Marty Paget is waiting to hear about his local dealer and expects a delivery date no earlier than April 2011.
In the U.K., I’ve chosen my dealer, but still have to wait for a delivery date.
What about you? Have you ordered a LEAF? Do you have a delivery date?
We’d love to know.
[Nissan][Edmunds]
