Nissan LEAF electric car (Image credit - Nissan)
Electrical Vehicles, Nissan LEAF

2011 Nissan LEAF priced: Nissan announces prices for their 100% electric car

Nissan LEAF™ electric car (Image credit - Nissan)
Nissan LEAF™ electric car (Image credit - Nissan)

The time has come for us to learn about the pricing of the first 100% electric car mass-produced by a major automotive company. Nissan has just announced the pricing and availability of their revolutionary LEAF™ electric car. Whether you’ll find it affordable or too expensive completely depends on how close your average daily mileage is to the 100 miles per day that Nissan had designed the car for. In their announcement Nissan also points out that some government incentives in the form of tax credits may be available to you. So, exactly how affordable can it be to drive a car producing zero tailpipe emissions? Keep reading to find out…

Nissan is just about to start what they call the priority reservation period – a pre-sales reservation akin to the Toyota Prius waiting lists of the early 2000s. Except, of course, LEAF™ is not yet available for purchase. It will be, however, available in “select markets” (read: California) in December 2010 with more cars trickling into the US market until the full planned production volume gets established in 2012.

Below is the Manufacturer-Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) Nissan had announced today. Note the special offer for the charging station for the first 4,700 Nissan LEAF™ owners. The charging station itself is going to add considerable cost (average $2,200) so a free charging station is a great incentive to get your LEAF™ sooner. Is it just me or someone else also thinks that by the time LEAF™ will be available outside California, the special offer will be over?

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

After tax savings, net as low as $25,280
MSRP $32,780 with Federal tax savings from $0 to $7,500
MSRP includes three years of complimentary roadside assistance.

State and local incentives may further decrease the cost:

  • $5,000 statewide rebate in California
  • $5,000 tax credit in Georgia
  • $1,500 tax credit in Oregon
  • Carpool-lane access in some states, including California

Lease Offer

$349 per month for 36 months after $1,999 initial payment

Trim Levels

The Nissan LEAF™ will have two trim levels available: the SV and the SL.

The SV trim level includes an advanced navigation system and Internet/smart phone connectivity to the vehicle.

The SL trim level adds several convenience features, including rearview monitor, solar panel spoiler, fog lights, and automatic headlights for an additional $940 (MSRP).

Charging Dock Cost

Nissan has announced it will be offering personal charging docks, which operate on a 220-volt supply, in tandem with the purchase process. Nissan is providing these home-charging stations, which will be built and installed by AeroVironment, as part of a one-stop shopping process that includes a home assessment and installation of the dock. The average cost for the home charger plus installation will be $2,200. Chargers and installation will be eligible for a 50 percent federal tax credit up to $2,000.


Exclusive Offer

The Nissan LEAF™ is the sole vehicle available through The EV Project, led by EV infrastructure provider eTec. As part of this program, eTec will be providing free home charging stations and installation for up to 4,700 Nissan LEAF™ owners.