US Leaf Pricing - gm-volt.com

[John Mammoth]

http://gm-volt.com/2010/03/30/official-us-nissan-leaf-price-32780/

A moment the world of electric car enthusiasts has been waiting for has just occurred.

Nissan has released the official price of its Leaf pure electric car which will go on sale in December of this year. Pre-orders will be accepted starting April 20th.

The MSRP is $32,780. With a federal tax credit of $7500 the effective price will be $25,280.

Further state tax incentives could lower the price further including $5000 available in California and Georgia, and $1500 in Oregon.

MSRP includes the battery.

The car will also be available as a lease option at $349 per month for 36 month after putting $1999 down.

There are two trim levels the SV and the SL:

The SV trim level includes an advanced navigation system and Internet/smart phone connectivity to the vehicle.

The SL trim level adds several convenience features, including rearview monitor, solar panel spoiler, fog lights, and automatic headlights for an additional $940 (MSRP).

The SV trim level includes an advanced navigation system and Internet/smart phone connectivity to the vehicle.

The SL trim level adds several convenience features, including rearview monitor, solar panel spoiler, fog lights, and automatic headlights for an additional $940 (MSRP).

The 220V AeroVironment home EV charger will cost $2200 including installation though will be provide for free to those participating in the eTec EV program. A 50% federal tax credit is available.

The ball is now in GMs’ court. Volt pricing is expected at least six months prior to launch.

[KarenRei]

With a federal tax credit of $7500 the effective price will be $25,280.
...
MSRP includes the battery.

Well, I guess the Leaf will have to be my next car, then. *Sigh*. I get absolutely no excitement about that vehicle (about as thrilling as an electric Saturn), but you can't complain about that price.

I won't go out of my way to try to get one early like I did with Aptera, but when it comes to my region, yeah, I'll probably get one. :P

[chijayhawker]

Yep, at that price, I think I will have to pull the plug on that choice too. No longer waiting on the Aptera to materialize out of nothing. So beam me into a Leaf, Scotty.

[cburk]

Pretty much the nail in the coffin for Aptera. By the time Aptera gets a car on the road the Leaf 2.0 will be out with most likely higher mpc and lower cost.

Shame that Aptera didn't get a car out sooner. I read this as a warning for Tesla as well. Tesla is going to go an entire year without producing the roadster. 2011-2012 Tesla isn't going to produce squat. In 2012 the tesla sedan is supposed to come out priced at around $50k. Tesla better be careful as Nissan and GM are going to be gobbling up customers very quickly the next 2 years. Many, many people with $$$ have been postponing car purchases waiting on full electric or plugin cars that are actually affordable. I can see quite a few people purchasing both a Leaf and a Volt by the end of this year.

[aptera1213]

Well, I guess the Leaf will have to be my next car, then. *Sigh*. I get absolutely no excitement about that vehicle, but you can't complain about that price.


Ha, that captures me completely.

The potential upside is that I've heard it looks better in person...and that I can give it to my daughter in a couple of years and move up to an EV that excites me. (you could give to the wife and get something else in a few years?)

Til today I was almost sure I was waiting 2 years for an EV (after waiting 2 plus years already for the Aptera)...but now I really think I will grab a LEAF and then move "up" in 2012 to a 500.

The 2e has, sadly, shifted way down the line, but keeping my deposit and place in line is basically a habit now...so it sits till I actually get an EV.

But it is looking more and more like I might actually have one this year. Wow.

And it kind fits. My first new car was a Nissan. Now my first new EV will be a Nissan.

Gavin

Unless Th!nk comes out with the city sooner and at a great price. Get the City here for 25 to 27k, get it under 20k with fed, under 15k with fed and state incentives and I'd go that route instead....I like small cars. :)

[plainar]

The Leaf is using PBW's plan of entering the EV market with an affordable price. I can't afford an Aptera now with the Leaf at $25k. I also trust the Nissan press releases soooo much more than Marques'. The Leaf will also not be a penalty car. I'm 99% sold on the Leaf so I'll go ahead and reserve one. I want to be driving a pure EV sooner than later.

[1E 1721]

Yep. I got my email from Nissan. Looks like a Leaf is in my future. Too bad huh! I wish it were an Aptera.

[aptera1213]

I remember when Aptera thought Tesla and Fisker was the competition.

We always thought the competition was Mits and Ford and Nissan and Th!nk.

Aptera should have been more worried about Nissan and others like them.

April 20th....preorders...that may be the day I finally ask for my deposit back from Aptera.

Gavin

[jhm614]

I get absolutely no excitement about that vehicle (about as thrilling as an electric Saturn)

you just need to re-mix Adrian Belew's "Big Electric Cat" ... more along the lines of Big Electric Cat... Fish! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_kk8mGqBj8)

I'm in! I'm in! I'm in! I mourn the Aptera's loss of "First to Market" but I'm so excited about an affordable E vehicle.

[aptera1213]

I'm in! I'm in! I'm in! I mourn the Aptera's loss of "First to Market" but I'm so excited about an affordable E vehicle.

+1


Gavin


and you're showing your age with the adrian belew reference :)

[chijayhawker]

I will consider buying the Leaf based on this news. At least it doesn't make any pretense that it is an American made vehicle like Aptera claims (see Karen's post on the Chinese element), especially if the Aptera ends up being built in China. Leaf is foreign...so I will still have reservations about buying it, but the Leaf is supposed to be at least assembled here in America. It better be or I won't buy it either. Even at this price...

[jcodeglia]

I'd be very interested to hear about any test drives.

[aptera1213]

Yeah, to be made in Tennessee. The same place my 1987 Nissan Sentra was made.

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/leaf.png

This is a nice angle of the LEAF...I just wish they would show it in a different color. That is the same color my Sentra was. It was a great little starter car, but I would like a different color this time around. :)

I actually think I could give this to my wife in two years. It is perfect for around town. Space for shopping and stuff and the occasional other passengers, and room in the back for the dogs. A good city car for her. Bigger than I need, but perfect for her (she plans to replace her Camry in 2 years.)

And then I get my Fiat 500 EV in 2 years.

I really hadn't planned to get the LEAF, now I can't see a reason not to.

Gavin

[10.5]

I think it needs a change of headlights.

[KarenRei]

The more I think about this car, the more I think it's going to take off. Think about it: in California, you can get one of these cheaper than a regular Prius (!).

What a coup. Ghosn is a genius.

[jimgolian]

Nissan Leaf $33,000, Volt $35000, Aptera $30000 - $40000

Aptera is lose.

With more and more car options and lower and lower prices, Aptera needs step it up!

An Aptera needs to be as much as a Honda Civic or InSight to make it compete with gas. Certainly it needs to be cheaper than the Volt or Leaf.

[Matthijs]

Ghosn walks the walk. Now they need to diversify the Leaf platform to other models and sell as many cars as they can.

Mitsubishi already responds with a price drop on the I-Miev. http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/03/competitive-pricing-of-nissan-leaf-spurs-mitsubishi-to-reduce-price-of-its-i-miev.html

Californians can pick up a Leaf for $20.280? That is just insane! I wonder how many cars can benefit from the incentive.

[NeilBlanchard]

And this will put pressure on Th!nk to price the City lower? Did you hear that they will be selling the City in NY City:

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/think-announces-all-electric-city-will-be-sold-in-new-york/

[eestorfan]

I will consider buying the Leaf based on this news. At least it doesn't make any pretense that it is an American made vehicle like Aptera claims (see Karen's post on the Chinese element), especially if the Aptera ends up being built in China. Leaf is foreign...so I will still have reservations about buying it, but the Leaf is supposed to be at least assembled here in America. It better be or I won't buy it either. Even at this price...

Actually, the first 5000 will be made in Japan and will ONLY be available in five states (CA, AZ, OR, WA,TN) in December, 2010. Also, the first 4500 -5000 people in those five states receive a FREE 240V charger installed.

[Ardie3301]

The LEAF at less than $25,000 is going to be hard to ignore.
The only real downside is Nissan's "100 mile" claim for the range, which will probably be more like 60 miles if it is used with air conditioning on the freeway for any length of time.

Nevertheless, at that price, its going to make the Aptera a much tougher sell, where the 2e MSRP has been projected to be "$25,000 - $40,000." At 25,000, it -might- be more evenly matched because Aptera's inherent efficiency will probably mean that they *will* get 100 miles out of their charge, and the recharge kWh will be less.

But the instant Aptera's final price tag edges up over $30,000 then the LEAF will win. 4 tires, 4 seats, proven car company, and a much better feel for the eventual trade-in value of the car when the time comes.

And for those of us with incurable range anxiety, we can always hold a vigil for the Chevy Volt and the Fisker Karma.

--Ardie

[Dolphyn]

I read this as a warning for Tesla as well. Tesla is going to go an entire year without producing the roadster. 2011-2012 Tesla isn't going to produce squat.That was their plan, but they decided to continue the Roadster a bit longer, according to http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/13/tesla-roadster-production-will-be-increased-sales-will-continu/

[plainar]

In the last bit of press from PBW to China auto news, the Aptera price cap has increased to $45k, not $40k. I've been taking particular notice of the price creep since I'm budget conscious. They just keep inching up the price making it a tougher sell over the Leaf.

[evmavin]

In the last bit of press from PBW to China auto news, the Aptera price cap has increased to $45k, not $40k. I've been taking particular notice of the price creep since I'm budget conscious. They just keep inching up the price making it a tougher sell over the Leaf.


That's an understatement. If a well equipped Aptera is not Under $35k with NAV, etc, they will have a tough time selling outside of the fan base. Since there are no substantial rebates it's even more difficult and the price of the Leaf may set new industry pricing. A 2e at even $40K in my opinion is an absolute joke of a price point.

[aptera1213]

Yeah...sadly. When I first sign up for an Aptera the price was to start at 20K. I thought, wow, a great looking, aerodynamic, light EV at a great price.

Even then I knew, "ok, they mention starting at 20K, but I'm sure it will 25K. No biggie. Still a great price."

Then the price raised to 25K. And I thought, "Yeah I expected that. Oh well, I guess it will probably be 30K to buy one. Still a good price."

Then we heard 25k to 45k...and I was..."Ouch. So I'll probably be spending 35K for a Aptera 2e now. Not as happy, but we will see at the test drive if it is worth that amount." (any more than 35K and I was out.)

Now with the LEAF and 500EV coming at 32k, with larger rebates, well the Aptera has to come back down in price to the 25k to 30k at most to have a chance.

Gavin

[palmer_md]

Yeah...sadly. When I first sign up for an Aptera the price was to start at 20K. I thought, wow, a great looking, aerodynamic, light EV at a great price.

Even then I knew, "ok, they mention starting at 20K, but I'm sure it will 25K. No biggie. Still a great price."

Then the price raised to 25K. And I thought, "Yeah I expected that. Oh well, I guess it will probably be 30K to buy one. Still a good price."

Then we heard 25k to 45k...and I was..."Ouch. So I'll probably be spending 35K for a Aptera 2e now. Not as happy, but we will see at the test drive if it is worth that amount." (any more than 35K and I was out.)
Gavin

When was it ever $20k? The original price was $26,300 for electric and $29,300 for hybrid.

[aptera1213]

2007.

Gavin

[palmer_md]

2007.

Gavin


When in 2007? When I signed up in 2007 it was ~$27k and it was the first announced price as far as I know. Did you have some pricing from before the September release party in 2007?

[aptera1213]

Of course, grrrr, I can't find it. It was the very first time I heard of Aptera in Mid 2007. An interview from before you could put in a deposit. Or I dreamed it all :)

Of course by late 2007 (nov, dec) the price is 27 EV, 30 Hybrid.

If I ever find that first post I read, I will put it here.

Of course looking back I found some fun stuff. All the news in late 2007 was telling us we could have an Aptera in 2008...

And I love this from Pop Mech:

Fambro says Aptera only needs to sell 300 vehicles to make the company profitable. So far the company has over 580 orders for the $27,000 Typ-1 e and the $30,000 Typ-1 h. Pilot production is set to begin with 30 Typ-1 e vehicles next year, though eventually Aptera expects to build 2000 vehicles annually. Sign us up for a long-term test.

See, even back then Aptera knew they were a niche vehicle that could sell about 2 thousand cars a year. Suddenly that has changed and Aptera believes the market for the 2e is 10 fold that amount and more?? Not likely.

Gavin

[Stunt Driver]

MSRP $32780, but after all tax savings - from $25280
Saying they are ready to start reservations 4/20
But I don't see info on battery lease price - that can easily be alot more.

[aptera1213]

Battery included

Or you can lease the car (and battery obviously) for 349 a month...that is what I'm doing.

Gavin

Ps...in Cali, if you get the state rebate too, the leaf will cost you around 20k...sweet

[Stunt Driver]

It's not that bad then. $349 a mo lease seems like a good idea.
Do you get any tax relief when leasing?



I LOVE Aptera, but have a kid now, so starting to think toward Leaf. Or I may f$$ck it all, and buy Escalade for a comfy ride, while I can't afford Aptera as second car.

[evmavin]

This is old news and should be under the Leaf area...

[eestorfan]

It's not that bad then. $349 a mo lease seems like a good idea.
Do you get any tax relief when leasing?



I LOVE Aptera, but have a kid now, so starting to think toward Leaf. Or I may f$$ck it all, and buy Escalade for a comfy ride, while I can't afford Aptera as second car.

You can ONLY IF you have your own business.

[Mesuge]

MSRP $32780
Market it at "matching" ~EUR 32780 across the pond, what a deal..
(Disclaimer: dose of sarcasm and cynicsm applied)

[Matthijs]

One site in Holland is already displaying the price of the Leaf at €35.000,- Well I am wondering what's keeps you to just import one from the states. This because most (extra) taxes do not apply on an EV so you can just get one and register one without much extra cost. Wonder about warranty and so on.

[Mesuge]

Thanks for the clarification-horrorification-confirmation. There are some places in Europe with crazy high incentives for purchasing BEVs, so if you have relatives there it could be arranged somehow. Not generally applicable strategy..

Again, the issue of "global homo" for such grey-imported car arises in the vast eurolands of ours. As you prolly know, it has to be done either by the manuf/importer or 3rd party, say bunch of pennywise fanboys, who desperately want to organize grey-imports, and this procedure is not cheap. Usually, such procedure can be offloaded to specialized U.S./Japan vehicle importers, who are focusing on the freak stuff - not officialy imported products. So, it will take less time and sweat, but more money for the organizers, in case of big interest, not problem.

I'd say it will make sense only for 2nd hand cars after some years, since you can't reach on those U.S. tax subsidies. Obviously you can import the brand new Leaf and have it say only ~10% cheaper, after all those extra fees applicable (transport, customs, VAT, fees for the operation, technical changes/blinkers etc..). And likely for all the effort no warranty at all, though they might service you at regular cost if needed.

I gather, in this budget makes much more sense slightly used 2nd hand Prius bought home/europen market, and grey-importing quality new PHEV30-40 pack, if they allow for self-installation, which they usually don't, perhaps the GoldPeak/NiMH guys with the 70mph EV mode kit, could be persuaded, I doubt the Hymotion guys allow for it though. As the local PHEV dealers are usually uber-crazy pirates, I guess you have got some of them residing in the .NL lol.

Or diy BEV conversion with quality components based on brand new ICE econobox donor will set you back ~same amount.
Which is usually a mutli-year effort and you need a spacious garage or rent a safe spot in some industrial-shack area..

Are we screwed? Almost..

However, If you apply different angle and mindset to the problem, you can get the EV grin on tiny budget too, lets talk quality-luxurious trekking bike < €1k (disc brakes, front suspension), quality AC bottom bracket kit 200-500W (not the inwheel jokes!) and A123 prismatic pack (~1.5k), plus some bits and pieces say total ~2.5k, and your are suddenly a proud owner of brand new flashy EV (Tesla/Aptera level - seriously lol), and what the heck it's "only" a pedelecs and not a car. Your health goes up (before rolled over by 3t SUV driven by 65kg chick), you can even take it on board the bullet train, in some places..

[Matthijs]

Are we screwed?

Yes! Plan B will also not work in Holland. Only 250W max and with pedal assistance mandatory. But off course you can register a Suzuki Hayabusa that can do 330km/h with no problem.

[Mesuge]

Haha "PlanB from the outter space" - failed. I know about these pedelecs "laws" - perhaps most strict in .NL - and I abhore them publicly with a passion, there is no way you can be identified in the crowd as 300-500watter outlaw though, unless you drive like crazy and/or take part in accident which will cause implosion of nearby petrol/lng truck, which in turn levels entire street and 1.230 puppies and unicorns get accidentaly killed too..

[Matthijs]

Or they will put you on a roller and test your power levels. Too high? A hefty ticket. (Mostly over €100,-) Much too high? Impounded. No more bike.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4955/rollerbank1.jpg

[Mesuge]

As mentioned I know about the regulation and increasing attitudes to "police it" in some of the more bike prone regions - thanks for the pictures though. Btw. ever heard about Lo/Hi controller toggle switch, you can easily derate your hells angels - public enemy - 350Watter into 150W granny-bike in a second, perfectly legal too..

[Matthijs]

As mentioned I know about the regulation and increasing attitudes to "police it" in some of the more bike prone regions - thanks for the pictures though. Btw. ever heard about Lo/Hi controller toggle switch, you can easily derate your hells angels - public enemy - 350Watter into 150W granny-bike in a second, perfectly legal too..

Yeah that would be a very nice feature to have. I know some people have it on regular gas powered scooters in the form of an rpm limiter. But that can be easily heard and then they will start and pressure you to tell where the button is located.

But with electrics it would be cool. Now here you must even get a driving license to operate an 45km/h and below scooter. With practice exam and the works. next you will need to get an license to walk the street. :)

[Mesuge]

I think if people don't behave recklessly and/or with attitude "look-ma I've got the fastest pedelcs in this freaking part of milky way", the chances your are going to be stopped-checked because of alcholol/drugs while riding, against situation with police squad having these kind of kits for bikes is like 100:1, at the moment, might get worse in the future. In any case - it's crazy to what lenghts the preasure against EVs goes. Going back to cars, say hurray to all those brave individuals who were the first with individual EV conversions legalized in some of the craziest places of Europe in this regard, interestingly enough, often times in the Western part of it. Ones you brake the barrier, it goes much smoother for all the others who follow-up.

In comparison it's just comical the situation across large part of NA, where you just drive-in with your conversion, tell the clerk where to fill in the computer form correctly electricity, pay the fee and you are outies. No real inspection - no nothing, sometimes in more redneck areas - they do it even snail mail correspondence only. I'm not advocating it, I think the EU-INT-Australian/NZ rules are good for safety, but sometimes it could be crazy and completely derailing process..

[overpowered]

$20k (I'm in California) would make the leaf very tempting. Unfortunately, I can't justify the cost of two cars, and I can't live with only 100 mile range. Much of my driving is between San Diego and Orange County and San Diego to Arizona. I bicycle for most of my short range travel.

I need a series hybrid. Right now the Volt seems to be the only one coming any time soon. The 2h doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon, and possibly not at all, and even if it does, possibly not as good as we thought. The Karma will cost too much. Sigh.

[Mesuge]

Hm, perhaps you can focus on your regional "advantages" if there are any. For instance what's the price of low milage >2006 Prius with super clean history? You can add $2.5-4k PHEV system, and in Calif. you even get some tax deductions (not sure as to whether it applies for used car installations as well).. And wait it out for much cheaper second or third generation GM Voltec system, due ~2013-2015. The Prius PHEV will still hold some resale value then.

[SlowSRT4]

I would advise against getting a used Prius that will cost a fair deal of money, and then doing an expensive PHEV conversion on top of that. Plus the maintenance on that Prius, especially a used one, will be very costly.

Seems like the Volt would be the better option. Serial hybrid (less maintenance), full $7500 tax credit, full warranty for probably 10 years, extremely durable battery design, etc.

Or, instead of the Prius, get a Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500, Chevy Cruze, etc. One of those 40+ mpg highway cars will be cheap to purchase brand new ($15k area) and still have very low fuel costs.