The lithium-ion batteries are a key component, he added, with 192 of the wafer-thin rechargeables nestled under the floor, out of sight and out of the way. The unique batteries were designed in-house by Nissan engineers, Hawson said, and are being produced in partnership with NEC electronics.

Public response during the nationwide Leaf tour has been overwhelmingly positive, Nissan says. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

“In the future, we’re open to supplying them to other manufacturers,” Hawson said, referring to electric-car or hybrid applications by other automakers. “We made the (battery) breakthrough with years of lithium-ion testing.”

The final price tag for the production Leaf has not yet been determined, though it’s expected to be above $30,000 initially. There’s a federal tax credit of $7,500 available as well as various incentive programs from individual states.

Leaf's interior is simple and futuristic, with seating for five. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

Leaf would be considerably less expensive to operate than a conventional car or even a hybrid, he said. A Toyota Prius costs about $6 to drive 100 miles at current gas prices, while a Leaf costs about $2.75 with current household electricity prices.

“I would venture to say that electricity prices will be a lot more stable than gasoline prices,” he said.

Maintenance costs should be considerably lower than those of internal-combustion vehicles because of the inherent simplicity of electric propulsion.

“There’s nothing that really needs to be replaced or maintained,” he said, freeing owners from such things as oil changes, tune-ups and the short-lived lead-acid batteries that start up conventional cars and trucks. There are no belts, hoses or even a transmission.

Eventual replacement of the expensive lithium-ion battery pack could hold back some buyers, he said, and Nissan is considering some alternatives, which include the novel solution of having Leaf owners lease the batteries from the automaker.

Public reaction to the Leaf has been overwhelmingly positive during the tour, Hawson added, as people come to realize that a simple electric car could handle most of their driving needs while reducing our reliance on imported oil, help clean the air and save money on everyday transportation.

For a schedule of the Nissan Leaf nationwide tour, see Leaf Tour.

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEEDtv.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, who has driven and evaluated essentially every new vehicle sold in the United States. A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle, he annually attends and writes about Arizona's famous January collector-car auctions, focusing on Scottsdale’s monumental Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. SPEEDtv.com fans email veteran Automotive Editor Bob Golfen at