What's The Best Place For Your Teen To Learn How...
News
Reviews
Guides
Gas Mileage
Car Types

Chicago Will Get Nissan Leaf Early Because It Loves Electric Cars

 
1,804 views Aug 26, 2011
Follow Nikki

First 2011 Nissan Leaf delivered to buyer, San Francisco, Dec 2010, photo by Eugene Lee

First 2011 Nissan Leaf delivered to buyer, San Francisco, Dec 2010, photo by Eugene Lee

Enlarge Photo

The City of Chicago has put so much time and money into supporting electric cars that Nissan has decided to reward Illinois by moving forward the planned Chicago launch of its Leaf electric hatchback to this Fall. 

In February this year, Gov. Quinn of Illinois signed a bill investing $1 million in electric car infrastructure throughout the Chicagoland area, installing a network of 280 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city and surrounding areas. 

The charging network -- installed in collaboration with commercial electric charging infrastructure 350Green -- includes plans for 73 rapid charging stations and 207 Level 2 fast charging stations.  

“Governor Quinn, Mayor Emmanuel and other visionary Chicago-area leaders have paved the way for mass market adoption of electric cars in their community,” said Scott Becker, senior vice president of Administration and Finance at Nissan North America. “Chicagoland consumers want a transportation solution that uses no gas and produces no emissions, and the introduction of the Nissan leaf to Illinois makes that a reality.”

2011 Nissan Leaf 4-door HB SL Side Exterior View

2011 Nissan Leaf 4-door HB SL Side Exterior View

Enlarge Photo

Illinois also offers up to $4,000 of rebates to each person purchasing a qualifying electric vehicle. When combined with the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicle purchases, Illinois residents can now get up to $11,500 off the sticker price of a qualifying plug-in vehicle.

Nissan’s decision to move its Leaf launch plans for Chicago forward is a smart one. With purchase incentives better than those in California, a charging infrastructure rivaling those of the Pacific Northwest and a high number of affluent, tech-savvy consumers Nissan’s all-electric family hatchback should prove popular.

Chicago will also be the first city with extreme cold weather temperatures where the Nissan Leaf will be sold.  We’re interested to see how its cold weather package copes with the bitter wind-chill, lake-effect snow and frigid days. 

[Nissan]

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.

 





Tags:
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
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (4)

  1. JohnBlume avatar John Blume Posted: 8/26/2011 8:15am PDT

    While it is laudable to pursue electric vehicle infrastructure, it is disconcerting that private ventures aimed at making money such as 350Green are involved in the process to benefit from governmental infusion of cash. It essentially is a gift of public funds - taxpayer dollars going to companies with sights set on the almighty dollar. All with the help of your tax dollars. "Going green" is their smokescreen. Shhh.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. Steve Bruns avatar Steve Bruns Posted: 8/26/2011 8:44am PDT

    Maybe the wind will blow a few of those Leafs down the highway to St. Louis. Puh-leeease?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. fb_100000005296979 avatar Kent Beuchert Posted: 8/26/2011 12:40pm PDT

    I wonder if the Chicago juvenile mobs will figure out that these chargers have lots of copper in them? So long chargers. Emmanual
    is skating on thin ice already with his "visionary" lies
    about public safety. Apparently the EV proponents who claim their
    technology is economical don't find it illogical that they must be subsidized in total the cost of a new gas powered car. And we get nothing in return for those tax dollars. Subsidize the well-heeled. What this country is all about.
     
    Post Reply
    -1
    Bad stuff?

  4. BigGreenPork avatar Herman Jackson Posted: 8/28/2011 8:56pm PDT

    OK, lemme get this straight:
    (1) Nissan can't build them fast enough to answer burgeoning demand
    (2) In fact, there are people in CA who are still waiting for the Leaf of their dreams.
    (3) But Chicago will get theirs earlier than planned.
    (4) Loyal CA customer still waits.

    Do you believe this? I think they are having trouble moving them, and even the downward-revised 12,000 for US in 2011 won't happen. (BTW: the number in inventory nationwide has grown from ~250 last week to 353 as of right now, according to cars.com.)

    Trouble in EV land if Ghosn can't put more than 15-20,000/yr out of the Smyrna plant. The place is built for 200,000/year, and at under 20% absorption and extended leaning will kill any hope of profitability.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

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. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC.