Nissan plans to sell Leaf EV in Japan for US $34K - $38.8K

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Surprise - early reports of a 100-mile range EV for under $30K were, um, optimistic. They will have their work cut out for them competing with the Volt at this price point.

"TOKYO (MarketWatch) -- Nissan Motor Corp. (7201.TO) plans to sell its new Leaf 5-person electric car in Japan for between Y3.5 million-Y4 million, the Mainichi Shimbun reported Wednesday.

The Japanese automaker will launch the car in Japan, Europe and the U.S. this autumn, the report said.

Nissan's Leaf will be cheaper than Mitsubishi Motor Corp.'s (7211.TO) i-MiEV electric model, which is priced at around Y4.6 million, the report said."

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nissan-to-sell-electric-car-for-less-than-44300-2010-03-16

[still_one]

1. Regardless whether it is the Leaf or the Volt, who can afford 30K to 40K vechicles

in this economy?

[marginlized]

2. Scion's IQ gets 60 mpg and costs under $15K n/t

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4. Very few.

If Chevy/Nissan can't do better on price, they essentially have vanity cars with none of the sex appeal of a vanity car.

For cars in this price bracket, who wouldn't pay an extra $10K for a Tesla sedan - and get an extra 200% range AND great styling?

[still_one]

5. Look at the hybrids, they have a huge markup. An escape hybrid has a 10K markup

from a regular escape, and the bang for the buck, both environmentally and energy savings isn't worth 10K

I understand when new technology comes there is usually a premium price, but hybrids have been out for about ten years hear, and the price should really become more reasonable

The best thing that can be done if the country really wants to conserve energy, is build and promote mass transit nation wide

Not only would it supply jobs, but be beneficial all around

[Statistical]

6. Well they do qualify for $7500 tax credit.

So it is more like high $20s to low $30s after credit.
Also operating costs (fuel & maintenance) are about 1/3 that of an gasoline powered car. That saves about $700 to $1000 a year (figure $7,000 to $10,000 over 120,000 mile life of vehicle).

So while the sticker shock is high there is some hidden value. Still until price of bulk Lithium Ion falls by 50% or more EV will always be sold at a premium. The battery pack in Tesla Roadster costs about $20,000. The one in Leaf is about $5K to $6K.

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3. delete