As the official market launch of the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle is approaching, its manufacturer, Nissan, has begun preparing all the needed infrastructure to operate the Leaf. The carmaker has started this week to roll out quick chargers for future Ev owners throughout Japan.
The quick chargers, which have an output of 200 volts, will be distributed by Nissan to some 2,200 dealerships nationwide. By the end of December this year, the carmaker plans to have at least one such station placed every 40 km (25 miles) in the country.
"Nissan developed the quick charger in-house, applying its R&D expertise accumulated in development of EVs and related plant equipment. This gives the quick charger a competitive pricing advantage at the manufacturer's preferred price of JPY1.47m (US$16,321)," the company said in a statement cited by just-auto.com.
The Nissan Leaf is already available for order in Japan, with prices starting from 2.99 million yen ($32,354), after government incentives. The Nissan can be ordered including through Nissan Auto Loan, with 2.4 million yen as a down-payment ($25,970), followed by a monthly fee of 10,000 yen ($108).
The Leaf will be introduced on certain markets in December, with the vehicle being offered to multiple markets in spring next year and eventually reaching widespread availability in 2012.
The car can easily accommodate five adults and can run for 100 miles (160 km) on a full charge. Nissan came up with a new charging system that recharges the battery to 80 percent of its capacity in just 30 minutes. A full recharge from a 200V home outlet, however, will take 8 hours.
The quick chargers, which have an output of 200 volts, will be distributed by Nissan to some 2,200 dealerships nationwide. By the end of December this year, the carmaker plans to have at least one such station placed every 40 km (25 miles) in the country.
"Nissan developed the quick charger in-house, applying its R&D expertise accumulated in development of EVs and related plant equipment. This gives the quick charger a competitive pricing advantage at the manufacturer's preferred price of JPY1.47m (US$16,321)," the company said in a statement cited by just-auto.com.
The Nissan Leaf is already available for order in Japan, with prices starting from 2.99 million yen ($32,354), after government incentives. The Nissan can be ordered including through Nissan Auto Loan, with 2.4 million yen as a down-payment ($25,970), followed by a monthly fee of 10,000 yen ($108).
The Leaf will be introduced on certain markets in December, with the vehicle being offered to multiple markets in spring next year and eventually reaching widespread availability in 2012.
The car can easily accommodate five adults and can run for 100 miles (160 km) on a full charge. Nissan came up with a new charging system that recharges the battery to 80 percent of its capacity in just 30 minutes. A full recharge from a 200V home outlet, however, will take 8 hours.