Jeep Compass And Patriot Replacement Delayed...
News
Reviews
Guides
Gas Mileage
Car Types

2011 Nissan LEAF Price

 
77 167,463 views August 3, 2009

LEAF white

LEAF white

Enlarge Photo
So we have now seen the 2011 Nissan LEAF all electric car.  It is unique and interesting in appearance, setting itself aside from gas cars not only in function but form. 

As interesting as it looks and as well as it drives, and even more importantly as well as it avoids using gas, there is still one thing everyone wants to know.How much does it cost?

More Leaf Cost Coverage:
Most Users Plan to Lease?  |  Buyers Eager for Followup |  More...

Video:
First Leaf Delivery in the UK |  Navigation System Demo

Photos:
First Drive and Gallery

All Nissan will say right now is that the car will be priced affordably, and in the range of a well-equipped C-class sedan.A well equipped C-class vehilce runs in the $28,000 to $35,000 range, without the $7500 tax credit the car will be expected to enjoy. If they are factoring that in, consider $35,500 to $42,500.Now of course it isn't likely that one will be able to just go out and buy a LEAF in 2010 for that price.  You see the most expensive part of the car is its 24 kwh  lithium ion battery. 

Though Nissan is jointly manufacturing the battery with its partner NEC, costs of production for these groundbreaking laminate cells are considerable.Usually lithium ion cells cost anywhere from $450 to $1000 per kwh.  That puts the pack alone somewhere between $10,000 and $24,000.  Though most writers are assuming its $10,000 Nissan has not publicly confirmed this.  And although Nissan has not formally announced it, we expect them to lease the battery separately from the rest of the car, and charge buyers a monthly battery leasing fee."We haven't decided yet," says Mark Perry Nissan's director of product planning. "From a leasing standpoint the pros are a lot."Perry notes by leasing the battery, the overall cost can be lower, it can provide people with peace of mind considering the newness of the technology, and it can offer Nissan the ability to replace the batteries as the technology improves.Perry says Nissan is aiming to make the monthly cost of ownership of a LEAF to be less than a comparable gas car."

The monthly cost of the battery, plus the electric charge, will be less than the cost of gasoline," said Carols Ghosn, CEO of Nissan-Renault.Thus we would expect that the monthly payment for the car,the monthly battery lease fee, and the cost of the electricity to make its run, should wind up less than or equal to a gas powered car of the same size and trim level. Do your own math.





Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Comments (77)

  1. By Paul Posted: 8/3/2009 4:19am PDT

    Instead of speculating, read the write-up in Businessweek where they say the battery costs $10,000.
    That's approx the same cost per kwh as the Tesla Roadster. Forget $1000 per kwh, that's a number only brain dead acedemics could come up with.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  2. By russ Posted: 8/3/2009 8:50am PDT

    Why am I interested in trading cars if there is no direct benefit to me - some of the savings? Electric is nice but only attractive if I share in the savings.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  3. By blakem Posted: 8/3/2009 9:42am PDT

    Better Place, a partner with access to Nissan’s battery cost numbers, put the battery lease at 5-6 cents/mile. With electricity at 1-2 cents/mile and reduced maintenance (no oil changes, simplified transmission, no exhaust, etc.) the operating costs shouldn't be a problem. Working with more electric systems may make squeezing the cost out of suppliers a bit more difficult for Nissan, but without the battery they should be able to get the retail to be competitive even without the gov rebate.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  4. By polo Posted: 8/3/2009 1:40pm PDT

    "A well equipped C-class vehilce runs in the $28,000 to $35,000 range, without the $7500 tax credit the car will be expected to enjoy. If they are factoring that in, consider $35,500 to $42,500."
    The $7,500 rebate should be subtracted from the price, not added to it. Factored in the car should cost $21,500 to $27,500. Nissan said it would be very affordable, so that sounds about right.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  5. By evnow Posted: 8/3/2009 5:53pm PDT

    Which compact car is $35K ? Are you looking at luxury cars ?
    Costlier trim of Nissan's compact car Sentra is $21,160.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  6. By Joke Posted: 8/16/2009 1:28am PDT

    This is a joke ... Leasing the battery?
    So we get a car that costs more than a comparable car in gasoline (Im sorry but where is there a compact that costs 35000? There's probably some cars that when equipped with all the addons MAYBE reach that price) and then we have to pay for a battery on a month basis?
    AND you can only get 150 miles AND charge it for 8 hours?
    Someone isn't thinking things through ...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  7. By Brett Posted: 8/16/2009 7:15pm PDT

    this is a joke. until these things are
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  8. By R. Moores Posted: 8/31/2009 4:05pm PDT

    Why would anyone seriously pay $35-$42,000 for a gasoline car without an engine, yet pay the same amount for an electric car without a battery? Are we going f***ing crazy, or what?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

     

  9. fb_502226142 avatar Kieran Mullen Posted: 9/8/2011 9:46am PDT

    New technologies cost more when introduced. Let the early adopters help bring the price down further down the road. Also you must live in your mothers basement without a car, you would then realize that there are other cost savings besides gas. Oil changes, Transmissions and Radiator maintenance to name a few do not exist.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  10. By B. Reasonable Posted: 11/2/2009 8:49am PST

    With current hybrids able to achieve 50+ mpg (yielding an net cost of approx $0.06/mile)even if gas doubled again, the electric car would not make economic sense. This is just another example of the car makers greed. The minute they think they have a product the public might actually buy AND win financially with... they raise the price!!
    They deserve the troubles they face.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  11. By Lauri Posted: 12/4/2009 5:38pm PST

    Gimmee!!!!!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  12. By Zapp Posted: 12/5/2009 1:11pm PST

    "Why would anyone seriously pay $35-$42,000 for a gasoline car without an engine, yet pay the same amount for an electric car without a battery?"
    Part of your fuel costs are locked up the battery pack. A more apt comparison would balance a Leaf with a battery included against buying a gasoline car with a 40% lifetime price savings in gasoline inluded.
    It makes more sense to consider the battery as a fuel source than to try to say it is equivalent to an engine. Obviously the Leaf comes with a motor.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  13. By litesong Posted: 12/8/2009 7:50pm PST

    They say that Prius' batteries can last up to 180,000 miles (suspect their efficiency drops off before then). Leaf's batteries would probably be much more stressed, hopefully batts would last to 150,000 miles (longer)?
    My electric bike travels from town to town on pennies. Take it easy in the Leaf & almost vanishingly low electric travel costs should be yours. Electric motors are extremely efficient, quiet & elegant, giving smooth, easy motion to small cars comparable to or better than gas plushmobiles. Our electric energy production is hydro & wind generated, leaving our Northwest atmosphere clear & clean. City pollution will be nil & energy-cycle pollution should be little more than a bicyclists' breath.
    We don't need to send our troops to defend some other countries' oil supplies.
    Hopefully, power regeneration braking will be efficient. Could use the drivers' energy conservation equipment in the cheapest Leaf. Could use energy generating shock absorbers, tho. Maybe they'll be able to add that stuff later to the basic Leaf.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  14. By Ron Posted: 12/12/2009 5:20pm PST

    To the folks thinking the rebate brings the price down, it actually brings it up. The slime at most car sellers I've been to are notorious for looking at ways to raise the price. So in other words, say there is a 5k rebate, expect at least an increase in the price of 3-4k, if not 5k.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  15. By jeremy Posted: 12/14/2009 9:27am PST

    Let's just check out some of these numbers...
    "With current hybrids able to achieve 50+ mpg (yielding an net cost of approx $0.06/mile)even if gas doubled again"
    Even if we assume a car gets 50mpg, if gas doubled in price it would be over $5 per gallon. At 50 mpg, that's 10 cents per mile. Or, more realistically, gas is $3.00 and your car might get 30mpg and the number is the same, 10 cents per mile.
    Next...
    "Better Place ... put the battery lease at 5-6 cents/mile. With electricity at 1-2 cents/mile and reduced maintenance (no oil changes, simplified transmission, no exhaust, etc."
    let's be conservative and say 6+2 = 8 cents per mile. That makes the Leaf 20% cheaper to fuel. Oil is expected to rise in price as supplies diminish. Electric power is likely to decrease in price, especially as the vehicle/ battery technology improve. With a lease allows for upgrades without buying a new one and you don't have to worry about buying the new when it dies. Imagine if you could lease a computer and get the newest technology every couple of years.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  16. By jeremy Posted: 12/14/2009 9:28am PST

    Finally, if the car is 35K and dealers raise it to 42K because of the rebate, then it will still only cost 35K after the rebate. On the other hand, the article does not say whether the $28,000-$35000 includes the price of the battery.
    "Perry notes by leasing the battery, the overall cost can be lower" implies that if they decide to lease the battery the cost would be 10K less than the 28-35K, making the car very competitive in up front cost and a wise investment in the long run cost of fuel/maintenance. My biggest issue is the refuel time. What they need is an easily replaceable battery pack so that when you go to fuel up you swap them your dead battery for one that is fully charged. That way it's as quick as changing the battery and the station can ensure that the batteries are recharged properly and not at peak use hours.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  17. By ernest Posted: 12/21/2009 3:09pm PST

    IIRC, the charge times are something like 12-16 hours on regular 110VAC, 4-8 hours on 220VAC (like a dryer hookup), and 30 minutes to 80% charge or so on the chargers at charge stations (home use? pretty please?). I figure I could do a 140-mile round trip commute if my company let me plug in at work.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  18. By  Patrick Posted: 12/29/2009 6:46am PST

    I would love to have one.
    One gas car and 1 electric will work great for our family.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  19. By Dave Stephenson Posted: 1/6/2010 10:07am PST

    Sounds like the same scenario that helped kill the GM electric car--LEASE something and never own it. Even if you own the car you must have a battery and...let me guess--leasing it will be costly!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  20. By Rich Posted: 1/29/2010 6:34pm PST

    If I'm not mistaken the "C-Class Sedan" refers to the Mercedes Benz C-Class.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  21. By Rizwan Posted: 1/31/2010 1:52am PST

    $35k is a very high price against a car which is really not YET comparable in any way with a well known C class model. I think this car should not be priced any higher than $15000 incl. battery so as to keep it remain within the range of the ordinary buyers.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  22. By Chris Posted: 2/14/2010 9:42am PST

    I'm unsure as to why current hybrid technology in the USA is capable of over 200mpg but only sold at about 50mpg and this electric vehicle only attains twice the electric car efficiency of a century ago.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  23. By  KevinAnderson Posted: 2/15/2010 7:21pm PST

    35K and leased batteries will kill this electric car for me. I am making serious efforts to contibute to saving what's left of our environment. And will bend over backwards, but not forward like this.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  24. By Jon Posted: 2/16/2010 5:19am PST

    I'd be interested in a fully elecric compact car based on the location of my house, work, school and entertainment. However, it just isn't economical enough at this price considering the typical length of ownership. I like the idea of battery leasing, but not when it is added on top of a C-class price tag. If I could pay for a C-class Mercedes, then I'd buy a Mercedes. On top of that, why would I feel it is acceptable for automakers to assume MY federal tax rebate.
    If automakers are going forward with a pricing strategy of setting the cost equal to or near the cost of a gasoline automobile, then the only thing incentive I have to buy it is to protect the environment.... And remember, I already can't afford a C-class Mercedes or I would have one.
    The price should be set on the cost to manufacture the vehicle. Make it equal or less than a gasoline compact with a leased battery (well below the price of gasoline because I do not put many miles on my car) and they will get my attention. Right now it is just a high priced fancy toy.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  25. By Max Posted: 2/20/2010 6:55pm PST

    Lets say its starting price is $28,000, then I rather buy less expencive car like Smart fortwo starting at $12,000 and $16,000 of gas which is enouth for 16 years of gas ! ! ! ! !
    ($16,000 / $3.00 per gallon = 5,333 gallons * average 36mpg for that car = 192,000 miles / 12,000 miles a year = 16 years. If I buy 5,333 gallons now when its only $2.75 it will cost me about $3/gallon to buy it now and to store it for 16 years or I can just invest $16,000 which will pay for increased price of gas during next 16 years)
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  26. By Eric Gebhardt Posted: 2/20/2010 7:42pm PST

    At $25k+ for the car, I'll sooner buy a used Nissan 350Z used for $12k. Drive it for 4 years and sell it for $4k. Estimate $1k for gas/DMV/insurance/maintenance a year (driving 5k miles a years), the Z would cost $3k a year to operate. I'll drive a Z. The Z is a better comparison than a Benz, but still not the same.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  27. By josh Posted: 2/21/2010 8:10pm PST

    what bothers me is that they are selling this on a zero-emissions line. which isn't exactly true. Unless you're getting electricity from a renewable source, there are some emissions, just not from the car itself. i don't think this is the answer
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  28. By Erik Posted: 2/21/2010 10:08pm PST

    I am a car fanatic and traded our brand new Civic Hybrid in for a used Acura TL, never looked back. In high school, we built muscle cars all weekend long. But, lets face it, If we can buy this car for an average compact car price range 20K-30k and pay closer to $.08/mile instead of around $.12/mile (24mpg $3/gal) and be driving an electric car I would do it in heart beat. The maintenance on an electric car is like fixing a power drill and would never have to go gas station again, not to mention the opportunity to add home solar power panels. This car could get me to work and back, and I could take another car on the weekend.
    But I agree with everyone, if this "compact" car costs 35k and you got to lease a battery for $.05/mile what would be the point. It's too bad because technology always goes through this cycle where R&D costs are offset by the first few customers, until popularization and industry competition can bring the cost down for the every day man.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  29. By Dan Posted: 2/22/2010 2:40am PST

    With anything new that comes out on the market isn't the price always high to begin with? PlayStation 3 didn't fall to $299 until the end of 2009. Most electronics are dropping in price from when they first entered the market. Heck, TV's compared to the 1930's when they first came out have done a major drop in price and much better in look. Someone has to breakthrough somewhere or else well be stuck forever. Once they are popular with more car company's manufacturing them and millions of people have 1 or 2 the price will probably start to drop.Granted, this may not be the best car at first and it may end up having problems but at least we can learn from those mistakes and try to make something better from it. Give it a chance, gee sh!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  30. By omer Posted: 2/22/2010 2:37pm PST

    If they seperate the battery as a seprate lease item it becomes no different from a gas powered vehical. Can you temporarily dsiconnect services if you are out of town for a month. What next will they also lease us solar panels to pay for the electricity?
    The more complicated it gets the less of a chance it will succeed.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  31. By Joe Posted: 2/23/2010 10:04am PST

    This smells a little like bailing out banks and CEOs receiving million dollar bonuses. If Nissan can mass produce the car for less than a C-class sedan, why doesn't it demonstrate less greed? Make a profit; pay Nissan employees, but don't gouge people in the name of the environment. Make it really affordable and start a green revolution on the planet.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  32. By imratz Posted: 2/24/2010 3:31am PST

    Styling is better than other electrics and hybrids including the doorstop with electronic issues. Nissan (& Infinity) designers are capable of making this more exciting for people to switch, esp. for the $$$.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  33. By craij Posted: 2/25/2010 12:38pm PST

    This may not be "the answer" but it is certainly a good option. Imagine if even one third of us were using electric cars in our daily american commute... how much would that affect the demand for gasoline? Yes, we get our electricity from fossil fuels, but its a positive step in the correct direction. And does that really have a price? More automakers making more EVs or other alternatives will only improve cost (ps, I'm all for leasing a battery, so I can "trade up"). I even intend to trade in my amazing, head-turning, muscle-head of a motorcycle in for electric. "It's not what they're selling, it's what you're buying."
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  34. By joey Posted: 2/26/2010 1:11pm PST

    Why all this continued chatter about a leased battery - Nissan announced on February 11, 2010 that "The Nissan LEAF will be available to consumers via lease or sale, in a single transaction that includes the battery."
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  35. By Andrea Posted: 3/1/2010 11:19pm PST

    Though, Nissan announced that it would be available to consumers for lease or sale, I'm a little suspicious of the leasing of the battery issue. So are they selling the battery with the car or is it leased separately? This is contrary! If they are leasing the battery separately, who is to say that they will or won't be available for lease later on. Look what happened with the EV1. They were only leased to the consumer, not sold. Then they took them all back and crushed them! What an expense to the car-maker! But this way, the only expense out is the battery, not the car...that YOU will be stuck with if you buy it. GET IT? I'm suspicious!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  36. By shtix Posted: 3/4/2010 9:11am PST

    Geez everyone's complaining about the price.
    Everytime new technology comes out, its those with the bucks that can pay for it. If you're not comfortable shelling out $35K/month plus monthly battery lease then DON'T get it.
    Just wait for the price to come down, 5 or 10 years?
    If you can't wait, build your own!
    BTW, the C-class they're referring to is Mercedes-Benz's entry level vehicle.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  37. By Ted Posted: 3/9/2010 12:41pm PST

    Too much. A gas car is cheaper, even when averaged over 10 years and including the cost of gas. Since the batteries are a future environmental hazard there is no motivation to change to electric.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  38. By Willis Posted: 3/9/2010 2:59pm PST

    I hope it succeeds, but until the price comes down, this average American will have to stick to middle east supporting regular diesel and gas vehicles. Not quite ready for the general public. Nissan gets an "E" for effort.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  39. By bluelm Posted: 3/12/2010 10:30pm PST

    Now why didn't FORD or other American cars think of this .. when they were crying for help from us taxpayers? Why because they (and gov't ) are into oil. Watch "Who Killed the Electric Car?" .. will that happen to this one.. will there be a conspiracy on it too? Conspriacies.. run rampid in this country.. so it seems. Why doesn't anyone help us, the consumer, for a change? Why doesn't the gov't see that the dealers don't jack up the prices to absurb the rebate... they're in cahoots.. that's why. Laissze Faire.. means buyer beware.. the anthem of a super capitalistic economy.. buyer beware.. sad isn't it.. we have no one in our corner...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  40. By  Selfless Posted: 3/13/2010 6:16pm PST

    All of you care only about yourselves and your "benefits". No one seem to care about the environments and what will happen to ALL of us when the environment will no longer be here for us. There will no longer be an environment to care for, is it that difficult to grasp? Humans are parasites and kill the planet. It WILL repay each and every one of us and then you'll be sorry.
    FYI: 20% of people use 80% of resources on the planet. This means: get rid of the 20% and all the problems will be solved! get the idea who I'm talking about? ;)
    Chaos awaits us, the American people, selfish b@st@rds of the world!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  41. By bob Posted: 3/16/2010 10:00am PDT

    @Willis-we only get 20% of our oil from the Middle East, so that isn't a driver.
    @selfless--that is a fine utopian idea, but until everyone is naked and eating grass, humans will always be consuming and building. It cannot be stopped, but it can be reduced. If you own anything not naturally made, you are also part of the problem. You are using a computer that is also part of the problem...think about it.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  42. By Bill Posted: 3/18/2010 5:59am PDT

    Not sure if the average American on the street actually realise how low their fuel prices are compared to the rest of the world. Historically large mass produced "Muscle Cars" have only ever been produced in America.
    Wake up & smell the coffee! When a car like this is produced try and embrace the technology. Sure we may not be able to immidiatly but as Hollywood actors snap up early models the costs will gradually reduce.
    I live in the UK where traffic & polltion is an ever increasing problem and consquently look forward to embracing this technology in the future.
    Still think the Honda Clarity using Hydrogen is the way forward.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  43. By Scott Posted: 3/29/2010 6:30am PDT

    I am thinking that this "save the planet" stuff is already been disproved and must be discarded. The real benefit to this car is that we can STOP importing oil from the middle east. As far as the costs go, I do not think it is right that this car should cost $40K, which is what a Chevy Volt is allegedly going to cost. They need to make their money on volume on the car's body and make their residual income on the battery lease and charging stations. If they priced the box at $18K and then lease the batteries for $90/mo, as was initially reported, they could really start making a dent in both market share and taking the "green car company" crown from Toyota. They would be building cars in japan and here to keep up demand. they could ultimately build this in to a car line--leaf 1, leaf 2 (large sedan), leaf MP (van or crossover). If Nissan gets the price right, this is the future..as cars are being replaced, families will switch to 1 electric for around town and keep a gas-fired for trips. As the gas/petrol are being replaced, they need to be building nat gas cars/trucks. Hydrogen is not viable, as the distribution network has already said the cost to implement is too great. Nat gas is already to most people's house/business, so the retrofit would be fairly easy. Let's hope we can get this right--we really could make importing oil a thing of the past in 5 years time.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  44. By JanM Posted: 3/29/2010 12:30pm PDT

    If the Leaf has a maximum range of 100 miles per charge, and it takes 8 hours to recharge, it means that a trip from Portland to Seattle will take 2 days - plus the costs of motel/hotel accommodation. Has anybody ever thought of what the impact will be on our tourism industry, and the economies of smaller towns scattered across America, if we all own electric cars but cannot travel very far in a day? Fuel-efficient cars are the answer. And for starters, ban all engines bigger than 2.5-liters.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  45. By Zoltar Posted: 3/30/2010 7:33am PDT

    Frankly, I don't think GM doesn't want to build the Volt, which is why they are dragging their heels as much as possible on the thing. I don't know why...but stupid is as stupid does. Now, here is the first new generation electric car. Of course it's going to be expensive just like the first flat screen TVs were expensive. Over time the price will go down and the batteries will get better. Also, no reason you couldn't just buy a battery pack from a 3rd party if you think the Nissan one is too expensive. Someone will offer one. There is demand out the wazoo for electric cars and Nissan will certainly make money selling them, even at these prices.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  46. By bob Posted: 3/30/2010 10:35am PDT

    Ban engines greater than 2.5L? Good idea, if you're a communist. Electric cars are best suited right now for cities, not cross-country trips. Buy one only if you need a new car, but don't buy it to save gas; the payback is not there and man-made global warming has been proven a hoax, so it can't be about saving the earth. Remember people, this isn't about oil sourcing and CO2 emissions; it is about consumerism and selling you a gimmick. Fear = marketing power.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  47. By Mac Daddy Posted: 3/30/2010 5:54pm PDT

    The battery pack is 24kWh and charges in 16 hours, so I need 1500 Watts to charge this battery(24kWh/16h = 1500W). Lets say I pay .01 cents for a kW hour at my house, so .01 * 1500Watts gives me $15 bucks for 100 miles.
    Lets say a gas car gets 20 mpg and I like using premium gas, then it costs me 100m/20mpg= 5 gallons of gas. $3 dollar gas gives me 5*$3= 15 bucks for 100 miles.
    Does not seem like a deal if that battery pack blows
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  48. By Mike Posted: 3/31/2010 2:42am PDT

    To Mac Daddy:
    Your math skills are lacking. If electricty in your city costs $0.01 cents per kW (which it costs much more than that), then it costs much less than $15 to charge your Leaf. $0.01*1500watts is not $15 because a KILO watt is 1,000 watts. So technically speaking, using your numbers, it would cost only $0.15 cents to charge 1500 watts.
    Further, from an engineering perspective, your assumption of 24kWh/16h=1500W is also false. It might make sense in math world, but that is not how this car operates. The Nissan Leaf will get around 190 WH/mile, and the 100 mile range would mean it is going to take 19,000WH or 19 kWH of charging, and it could be fully supplied in just 8 hours by any ordinary household 110V 15Amp rated outlet.
    With that said, the national average per kW of electricity is $0.12/kW. 19kW of charging multiplied by $0.12/kW = $2.28 for 100 miles of use.
    $2.28 for 100 miles of use equals $0.0228 cents per mile. Using your assumption of 20mpg and $3/gallon (today's cost), you get 5 gallons per 100 mile use multiplied times $3/gallon is $15 for 100 miles.
    If you drive ~12,000 miles/year, then your gas fuel cost is $1,800. Your electric fuel cost would be $273.60/year. Does this savings of $1,526.40 per year warrant an after tax rebate cost of ~$26,000? Maybe, maybe not. But if you only care about YOURSELF and YOUR WALLET, then stop reading news about alternative energy technologies... just please stop.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  49. By JJ Posted: 4/10/2010 1:57am PDT

    The only pros we can get with ev compared to a same functionality but with a combustion engine is the maintenance. Air filters, oil filters, oil used during change oil, anti freeze, spark plugs and the likes needed by a combustion engine, and of course the time needed to change those stuff.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  50. By bob35 Posted: 5/10/2010 10:52pm PDT

    This arguement about economics is interesting but lacks foundation. Fuel is actually cheap at $3/gal. Intentionally too cheap. The economics of alcohol are marginal. The Cartel is being allowed to control fuel prices and keep alternative fuels out of the market here.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  51. By lanceo Posted: 5/14/2010 7:12am PDT

    I have paid the refundable $99.00 to be first in line for a Leaf. I am concerned that Nissan will not offer this car at a affordable price. Leasing the battery might be a good option as batteries are difficult to test in the lab for real world senerios, however they need to make this car affordable for me and most people. I won't be buying one strictly for the novelty or to save the enviroment, my motive is to get off foriegn oil! It has to be priced in the mid 20k range or its too expensive.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  52. By Lucas Posted: 5/20/2010 8:59am PDT

    I can't wait for this nice car. I will definitely buy it once it's available. It's basically maitainance free, man I love it! Sorry for some of the car mechanics here.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  53. By ProfEng Posted: 5/21/2010 5:13pm PDT

    Pricing is very disappointing. $12-14K (less battery pack)is about right. If the pack is $10K in 2011, dropping to $5K for the same capacity in 3-4 yrs., then maybe you're doing something. Inherently, an all-electric is currently a short range solution, so you're not going to see the use/yr. required to make economic sense. You need a breakthrough 5X improvement in kw/lb. on electric energy storage. A diesel-hybrid would have been a winner this decade... Also, don't forget the depreciation. This vehicle is very, very, likely to drop like a stone in value. If they're worth $8K @ the end of your loan, then what?
    Summary: You can't put enough miles on it to make it remotely worth it, given the out of line purchase price.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  54. By John O Posted: 6/14/2010 5:01am PDT

    Has anyone thought about a black market for batteries? 10 to 1 theft of the batteries would become an issue. If they are worth $10,000 you better believe someone is trying to figure out a way to steal them.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  55. By Jim B Posted: 6/14/2010 3:18pm PDT

    This is a ripoff! This tin-can should sell for about $15,000.
    WHY do taxpayers have to pay idiots $7,500 to buy this thing? STOP THE HANDOUTS!!!!!!!!
    OBAMA AND THE LIBS ARE DESTROYING THIS COUNTRY...IMPEACH THE IDIOT.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  56. By Peggy Posted: 6/29/2010 4:50am PDT

    When they can make a car that the average person can buy, then a change will take place. 15,000 -20,000 and then the Tax break something might change,not until. The little man is where the difference will come in. There are more of your average Joes out here then anyone else.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  57. By electric ftw Posted: 7/14/2010 8:53am PDT

    we are doomed. keep buying your cheap foreign oil until it runs out.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  58. By Mark Posted: 7/21/2010 10:39am PDT

    I wish the whole world would hurry up and get a Nissan LEAF so the bottom will drop out of the oil market and I can continue to enjoy my REAL cars (you know, the ones with gasoline engines) for many many years to come.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  59. By Alex Posted: 7/21/2010 1:19pm PDT

    F you to people like Mark and his REAL car. I bet you change your own oil and pour the leftovers down the drain too, right? Redneck right wing a holes like yourselves are why our country is so screwed up. Thanks for having so many children a hole!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  60. By Rez Posted: 9/22/2010 11:44pm PDT

    I agree with mark... Everyone should buy a electric car so the oil companies finally have some competition. Once the oil monopoly has vanished and been replaced with natural economics of supply and demand, then the price of oil will drop significantly.
    All you people who think you will save money on this car are complete idiots. Anytime anyone buys a new car the depreciation in value is outrageous. My first car purchase was a new 2007 mustang. I sold it after 2 years and lost over 8 grand in depreciation alone. Now I buy a used car at good trade in value and sell the car within 6 months for equal to or more than when I bought it. I've saved thousands of dollars and have even made thousands of dollars. So two or three years down the road I'll be there to offer you 5k for your electric car... Then you'll realize what a sucker you were.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  61. By Sage Posted: 9/28/2010 1:47pm PDT

    Will Nissan Leaf really reduce America's reliance on oil? Aren't most electricty generated in the US oil-powered?
    What I don't understand is whether the foreign oil burned to create electrcity for the likes of Nissan Leaf is going to reduce the overall oil consumption for the country. Anyone know how much oil is burned to create enough electricy to charge a Leaf? (24kWh) How does it compare to the total oil used to refine the equivalent, or 15 - 20 gallons of fuel?
    Those on other electricy generation camp (hydr/solar/wind/nuclear/coal/other), no need to chime in. Just attempting to compare apples to apples.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  62. By gh Posted: 10/9/2010 8:26am PDT

    I would buy one and pay cash but have some questions?
    1. How long does it take to recharge when I travel over 100 miles?
    2. How do I seperate the car's electricty charges from my house electricty charges?
    3. What happens when I go to trade in for a newer model?
    4. Will my insurance go up or down?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  63. By Bernie Posted: 10/13/2010 3:25am PDT

    what is the cost of recharging this new electrical car?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  64. By Eric Posted: 12/13/2010 9:00pm PST

    ok guys on Nissans website it says Msrp is 32780 after rebate 25280 witch is ur average price for a basic american made car. my only question is would the ac and heater and headlights kill the millage of the car since it is electric on the website is claims it wont, and on the spoiler on the car it had a solar panel witch might make it up idk though about all of that.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  65. By Bob Posted: 12/16/2010 11:53am PST

    It's very misleading on Nissan's part to use $0.11/KWh to calculate cost of charging this car. Most utility companies have tier-rate system where cost per kWh goes up significantly as consumption goes up. PG&E (where I live) charges $0.11/kWh for the first 500kWh or so, then rate jumps to $0.3 to $0.5/kWh. Thus, if your household is already paying $50 or so for electricity, and you add this car on top of that, you will be paying 3 to 5 times more to charge the car than Nissan advertised. Unless you are not using much electricity for other stuff in the house, maintaining this car could be more costly than a gasoline car.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  66. By mike Posted: 12/17/2010 4:22pm PST

    so much for our dreams coming true. I think it is going to take an independent - dedicated electric car company - to make this happen. same folks - same culture - same ripoff. if it was 18k I would buy one tomorrow and honestly - that is what they should cost.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  67. By  chris Posted: 1/3/2011 4:35am PST

    My self this is a gimmick and the public are being conned. It is about car makers selling and selling.... as much as possible. These electric vehicles might be ok for local runaround but useless at the moment for longer journeys.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  68. By opinion8it Posted: 1/22/2011 3:24pm PST

    Henry Ford had the idea to come up with a way to build a car for $290 (equivalent to $3,289 today). Henry succeeded because of increasing efficiencies of assembly line technique AND VOLUME. Looking at car prices today, it is no wonder that we are in this economic mess. Car companies should learn a lesson from the master who started it all. lower the cost of car to a point where multitudes scramble to get a hold of one. They won't make much per vehicle, but they stand to make a killing from the large VOLUME they could sell - and hire a bunch of people to keep up with demand. -------
    Henry Ford's Mission Statement: "I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one—and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces."
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  69. MeghansUncle2 avatar Vincent Mitchell Posted: 3/9/2011 9:19am PST

    35k??? Really??? For what?? Simplified drive train, WAY simplified motor. Way less manufacture cost. So why the fat price tag? I smell a rat. Even the batteries could be manufactured in house at a huge reduction from even 10k. This car with battery should not cost more than 20k, and that's with all the bells and whistles of any mid class car. It's the freakin manufacturers getting their saliva all worked up over a product with a 300% to 400% markup. After all the past struggles they see what they consider an easy profit. I say let them have their 35k car and wait for the prices to fall in line with reality. The manufacture cost for electric cars is significantly cheaper than that of their gass guzzling cousins. Think of the lighter demands on frame and suspension where significantly less torque and stresses occur in electric versus fosil fuel consuming motors. That translates into frames that need to handle less stresses, so I'm thinking that they're probably a tad cheaper to manufacture too...the list goes on.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  70. fb_1293930898 avatar fb_1293930898 Posted: 4/30/2011 11:04am PDT

    Are you Kidding?? Electric or gasoline it is not about saving the environment,it's about making money, 4 big CEO's all politics. America CAN GO GREEN ALL WE WANT, BUT THE TRUTH IS UNLESS CHINA STOPS POLLUTING THE EARTH IT ALL A JOKE!There are no controls on what they burn, They burn anything, pollute big time, we should go green,? they keep ripping us off. Wake Up America and smell the deception! They are saying how dumb are you??
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  71. fb_1293930898 avatar fb_1293930898 Posted: 4/30/2011 11:06am PDT

    lol only if the rest of the world goes green!! Otherwise it's a joke!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  72. By frank Posted: 5/12/2011 7:57am PDT

    RU KIDDING!!!! My Yaris only cost 15k and gets around 40 miles/gal with a 9 gallon tank I get just under 380 miles to a tank of gas. HOW IS this electric car even close to doing us any good!!!!!! AGAIN cooperate GREED trying to cash in on the green movement. Stick the car up your AS$$
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  73. By Peter Posted: 5/22/2011 7:20am PDT

    Taking into consideration that this car will also have it's regular maintenance (in addition, an expensive battery to replace), this car better be 20k and less.
    I don't see myself buying a car for 30k+ "just because it's zero emission".... no such thing as zero emission, for you to fuel it needs electricity... thus you need factories... thus emissions will be made!
    If they make it too expensive, the competition will come and destroy them... as we speak, Ford had announced it's zero emission car a few years ago!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  74. By Peter Posted: 5/22/2011 7:21am PDT

    Taking into consideration that this car will also have it's regular maintenance (in addition, an expensive battery to replace), this car better be 20k and less.
    I don't see myself buying a car for 30k+ "just because it's zero emission".... no such thing as zero emission, for you to fuel it needs electricity... thus you need factories... thus emissions will be made!
    If they make it too expensive, the competition will come and destroy them... as we speak, Ford had announced it's zero emission car a few years ago!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  75. fb_100000076133633 avatar Michael Hofsted Posted: 6/15/2011 2:38am PDT

    I'll buy this car if its around the 15k-20k range and does not lease out the battery. That is just an incredibly stupid idea.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

  76. fb_593841774 avatar Will Marjenhoff Posted: 7/3/2011 4:42pm PDT

    Why would anyone, and I mean anyone, buy an electric car with all its limitations but not with the benefit of huge cost savings. The Leaf, in my opinion, would only be worth the money if

    a) I owned the car for 25-35k
    b) The battery was part of the price and had a 10 year warranty
    c) NO OTHER CHARGES

    Then and only then would I purchase an electric car.
    I would much rather own a Toyota Hybrid than an Nissan all electric that cost me as much as a gas car.

    Hope this article is not based in truth, HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

     

  77. ev_enthusiast avatar EV Enthusiast Posted: 7/3/2011 9:24pm PDT

    all its limitations ? what ones would they be ? on the gas side, the plus is the range. on the ev side, the plus is everything else.

    i have already stated the reason why they are more expensive a zillion times.

    it is because of supply and demand. we are only manufacturing a handful, and there are still wait lines a year long.

    any producer will make as much profit on his gizmo as the market will allow.

    price will come down as the supply catches up to the demand.

    and once again, i will restate my prediction that seems to go on deaf ears of even all the experts.

    and that is, that 10 years from now, few new gas cars will be sold. because few people will want to put new bucks into what will be ancient technology.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?
    Share

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Find Green Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
Green Car Reports
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 Green Car Reports. All Rights Reserved. Green Car Reports is published by High Gear Media. Send us feedback.
 

Use the form below to send us a tip, give us feedback, or just say hello.

(max 750 characters)