Abu Dhabi: Nissan will usher in the auto industry’s electric era later in 2010 when its pioneering car the Leaf - its 100 per cent electric, Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) - goes on sale in Japan and Western countries in December, President and CEO of Nissan and Renault Carlos Ghosn said late on Monday.
"It will be an affordable and practical car,” he told an audience at the Ramadan majlis of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
According to some reports, although not officially confirmed, the Leaf will cost around $25,000. However, Ghosn promised the car will have high quality features that include a top speed of more than 140 kilometres per hour and 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The car powered by a lithium battery pack will weigh 250 kilograms, Ghosn said.
The Leaf, a five-passenger hatchback, is poised to put Japan’s No. 3 automaker in the lead of the electric car industry that is led by Ghosn, who believes electric cars "are the future".
He said the Nissan team has been working tirelessly to make this ambition a reality.
