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The Nissan Leaf is an electric car manufactured by the Nissan Motor Company. The company has said it plans to begin selling the Leaf in the United States in December 2010.

The Leaf has a maximum range of 100 miles per battery charge. Nissan has noted that road conditions, weather and battery age can affect the range. Running the heater and air conditioning also will reduce the car’s range.

The car requires no gasoline and has zero tailpipe emissions. It can reach a maximum speed of 90 miles per hour.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Nissan Leaf is $32,780 but tax incentives of up to $7,500 could reduce the cost of the car to about $25,280.

If the car is plugged into a standard household outlet, it could take as long as 20 hours to charge fully. A higher capacity 220/240 Volt outlet will charge the Leaf’s battery in about eight hours.

In addition to the United States, the car will be available in December in Japan, the Netherlands and Portugal. Sales are expected to begin in Ireland and the United Kingdom in February 2011.

More information:

• Nissan Leaf USA website

• Nissan Zero Emissions website

(Photo: Wikipedia Commons)

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April 20, 2010, 12:35 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

Nissan is taking reservations for its Leaf battery car starting April 20, two days before Earth Day. Will the 115,000 'hand wavers' sign up, pay $99, and get in line to take delivery?

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March 30, 2010, 12:35 p.m. by Melissa Hincha-Ownby

Nissan North America offers details about how customers can place reservations for a 2011 Nissan Leaf, with prices starting at $25,280.

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The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are game-changing electric vehicles due on the market by the end of the year, and I just got a sneak peek.

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Electric cars have been touted as the wave of the future, but current owners say the kinks aren't quite worked out yet.

Nissan's Leaf EV will be affordable -- and easy to plug in

August 3, 2009, 12:49 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

Nissan isn't waiting for others to build charging stations. Its new Leaf can plug into the company's global EV network.

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