Nissan Leaf Electric Car: Ultimate Guide, What You Need To Know

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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2013 Nissan Leaf

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Back in December 2010, an unassuming compact hatchback hit the Japanese and American markets.

A new small Nissan isn't normally the cause for fanfares and celebration, but the LEAF is one of the most significant cars of recent years--as it's a competitive, usable electric car.

Whether you love or hate the LEAF, it's playing a part in both turning electric cars into a mainstream product, and showing that a large car company really can put an electric vehicle into mass production.

We've been covering the LEAF since its early days, and we've now brought together a guide that covers all aspects of the car, from pre-launch to the experiences of owners, two years down the line.

LEAF basics: Driving the LEAF

So what is the Nissan Leaf? Put simply, it's a five-door, five-seat hatchback which sits in the compact class, next to conventionally-powered rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

It uses a 24 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, which feeds power to an 80 kilowatt (110-horsepower) and 210 pound-foot electric motor. Official performance data is hard to come by, but the benchmark 0-60mph sprint has been variously recorded between 10 and 12 seconds, and top speed is around 90 mph. Official EPA range is estimated at 75 miles for the 2013 car.

Pricing starts at $29,650 for the 2013 Leaf, including a mandatory $850 delivery fee.

You can check out our review of the 2013 Nissan Leaf, or head over to our sister site, The Car Connection, for further information.

We've also driven the Leaf on several occasions here at Green Car Reports, and you can click through our experiences below:

• 2011 Nissan Leaf Prototype: Quick Drive Impressions
• 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive
• 2011 Nissan Leaf Drive Review: A Real Electric Car For Real People
• 2011 Nissan Leaf Electric Car: First Drive Review
• Drive Report: Electric Car Neophyte Uses 2011 Nissan Leaf For A Week
• Does the 2011 Nissan Leaf Deliver Its100 Miles Of All-Electric Range?

The 2011 Nissan Leaf has also been a previous nominee--and winner--of Green Car Reports' Best Car To Buy

• 2011 Nissan Leaf: GreenCarReports Best Car To Buy 2011
• GreenCarReports Best Car To Buy 2011 Nominee: Nissan Leaf