Nissan has officially introduced the LEAF to the world. A compact electric vehicle powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, the LEAF is slightly larger than the Nissan Versa and is a five door hatchback that is expected to go on sale late in 2010. But what the LEAF represents is a bold step forward in the automotive world, one that could signal a shift in car buying habits from conventionally powered cars to those operating on battery power or alternative fuels.

Edgy Styling, Pure Electric Power

Introduced at Nissan's new company headquarters in Yokohama, Japan recently, the car offers edgy styling to what consumers are familiar with when shopping for hybrid models such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. But the LEAF doesn't have what both those models include: a tail pipe. Yes, because the car runs on pure electric power at all times, it is a zero emissions vehicle and one that will run quietly too.

With a range upwards of 100 miles, the LEAF should meet the needs of most commuters who can then plug the car in while at work or when parked overnight in their garage. This means that the new Nissan model should meet the requirements of most urban drivers, extending its range when plugged in at work. Though Nissan hasn't mentioned it, eventually some of the recharging could be handled onboard when in-cabin recharging technology is perfected and introduced.

The electric Leaf will not be the only new electric vehicle hitting the market by the end of 2010 with both Mitsubishi and GM (Chevrolet Volt) rolling out their models. In the case of the Volt, GM will extend that car's range by including a 1.4L I4 engine which will kick in once the Volt's 60 mile pure electric range has been exhausted. The Mitsubishi model will be closer in engineering to the Leaf as it, too, will feature electric power only. Thus the Volt will still have a tail pipe while the other two models will not.

Pricing Yet To Be Determined

Nissan is mum about pricing, but says that the LEAF will be affordable and competitively priced. Exactly what that means is unknown but if it priced well below the Coda Automotive sedan that will be built in China and priced from $45,000, then it could be a hit for Nissan.

Initial copies of the Leaf are expected to be built in Japan, but with $1.6 billion in factory funding from the US government, Nissan says that as many as 100,000 units annually could be build at its factory in Tennessee. Production for that plant has yet to be announced.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Ford Ranger tonneau covers and Ford F-150 tonneau covers.

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Author: Matthew Keegan

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