Posted on 05/26/2010 10:10:05 AM PDT by C19fan
If you aren't already on the list to purchase a 2011 Nissan Leaf, you're officially out of luck. During a speech to the Detroit Economic Club today, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the U.S. market allotment for the first year's production of Leafs is already sold out more than six months before the EV even goes on sale. Nissan has now received 13,000 orders for the $32,780 electric car – quite impressive for a vehicle almost no one's driven.
(Excerpt) Read more at green.autoblog.com ...
Yep. And a nice way to increase the demand for electricity.
Don’t forget your federal taxes are helping subsidize the price to the tune of $7500. More in some states.
also another $2000 in federal subsidies to purchase the 220v charging station for your home, more in some states
I don’t buy vehicles I haven’t driven. It’s a personal flaw.
That is not a “Zero Emission” vehicle as the words on the side suggest. It is a remote emission vechicle - the powerplant that provides the juice has emissions...
I am surprised that no one has accused Nissan of “being in bed with Big Lithium.”
How soon before we see those on blocks in the front yard?
For about that price, I can buy a good used 335i. And if I had that money, I wouldn’t even have to think about which one I’d buy.
What ever happened to Obamaco’s Chevy Volt?
WE NEED NUKE POWER —TOTALLY FRIGGIN OBVIOUS.
Try telling that to a libtard.
Heck, buy a Diesel BMW and get good fuel economy and power in a real car instead of a tin box.
People should buy this car, and the Prius, and other new-tech cars, because they are interesting applications of technology and design, not because they are any better for the environment (they’re not). The Prius, for example, is a seriously geeky car, with regenerative braking, a multi-mode drivetrain, and other really interesting innovations. The Leaf (though I haven’t looked at it in depth yet) likely has a lot of interesting innovations as well. However, although these cars do not generate much or any emissions at the point of energy expenditure, they still create emissions. The Prius generates some of its emissions at the battery manufacture plant and at the battery disposal point, but it does generate a lot less emissions than most cars overall. Some of that is offset by the effort needed to clean up nickle refining as well. The leaf is going to generate all of its emissions at the electricity generation point, which means anyone who drives one is still polluting, but they’re doing it in someone else’s air (very liberal).
Absent the eco-loon baggage these cars carry, I wouldn’t be averse to driving a Prius at least. My folks had one for a while, and it was an interesting car, so long as you don’t need to drive long distances (at which point, there are better choices).
There are some rather “geeky” non-hybrid cars, too. Personally, I lean toward Diesel because of the variety of fuels it can burn (Diesel oil, cooking oil, and biodiesel), its torque, and fuel economy. There are also some “geeky” petrol cars. I have seen the Honda fuel cell vehicle and that is truly a geek machine.
That’s a good idea, but IIRC there’s about a $5000 premium for the turbodiesel engine. Also it just doesn’t sound as awesome as a gasoline-powered BMW six. :)
A good friend of mine bought a Camry hybrid. It has pretty much all of the nifty technology the Prius possesses, but it comes in a wrapper that doesn’t scream, “HEY, LOOK AT ME!! I’M SAVING THE PLANET!!” I’ve talked with him about it, and in general he’s pretty satisfied with the car.
For me, the best would be a hybrid diesel, using a small constant-speed diesel motor turning a generator (much like a locomotive). This charges a battery pack, and powers motors mounted at the wheels. By running a diesel at constant speed, you can realize tremendous efficiency, not to mention being able to tune the exhaust for maximum noise suppression. You also get the constant recharge effect, unlike the on-again/off-again Prius, and by running the motors out at the wheel, you can get traction control and amazing performance, as well as regenerative braking and limp-home capability. You could add in a capacitor bank for acceleration, and maybe even a backup drivetrain for the diesel to be used on long hills and such.
Understandable. I think the Lexus 330 SUV has that same drivetrain as well.
Hope you already ordered yours. ;)
Absent the eco-loon baggage these cars carry, I wouldn’t be averse to driving a PriusThe thing is, there is a ton of baggage. Every person who sees you will assume you are a tree-hugging, bong-waving, macrame bra-wearing, tofu-eating, American flag-burning assclown, and we don't want that.
And except for the bong thing, I'm none of those.
Yeah, the engine note is different, but the torque and fuel econ are good for a 6-cyl sport sedan. Still, I do agree about the lovely sound that the BMW petrol engine makes.
I have the Nissan Altima Hybrid. Love it. 700 mile range. Several car dealers in the Sacramento area were selling this car for less than $19800 and that is before the $2350 tax credit.
Originally the Chevy Volt was supposed to be able to burn diesel. Besides not burning deisel - you have described the Volt to a ‘T’.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.