Nissan expands LEAF electric car availability to six more states

Nissan's 100%-electric LEAF is now available to order in six more states, with plans to deliver on those orders beginning in December.

Nissan announced today the expansion of LEAF availability to six new states, with customers in Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York now able to place orders for the 2012 LEAF, which has a few standard features over the 2011 LEAF including quick charging and cold-weather features. Deliveries of the LEAF to customers in these areas will take place in December, according to Nissan.

Nissan VP of sales and marketing Brian Carolin said "We are seeing tremendous consumer interest in the Nissan LEAF in these new markets, particularly in the New York metropolitan area." Demand for the LEAF has indeed been impressive, as the LEAF outsold its main rival, the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, four to one last month.

Nissan has announced that LEAF availability will expand into Nevada, Louisiana, several states in the Midwest and most of the remainder of New England before the end of 2011. Also, to give LEAF owners and potential buyers the chance to share their enthusiasm on the Internet, Nissan has launched NissanLeafDrivers website, which will feature weekly updates from fourteen LEAF owners as they live their daily lives while driving a 100-percent electric vehicle.

After a delay related to the Japan earthquake, Nissan plans to begin manufacturing the LEAF and the components that make up its drivetrain in the United States at the end of next year. Nissan also plans to have the LEAF available for sale in all 50 states by that time as well.