DC 2010: Nissan Leaf wins Green Car Vision award

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell won the poll we ran in December as the vehicle that should have won the Green Car Journal's Green Car Vision Award, but it was the Nissan Leaf that received that honor today at the Washington Auto Show. The Leaf (read full details on the car) was selected over Coda Automotive's electric sedan, the Ford Focus BEV, the F-Cell and Toyota's plug-in Prius for the award.

After accepting the award, Nissan held a short press conference, during which we learned that 38,000 people have signed up for Nissan's Leaf interest list. This is higher than previous numbers we've heard from Nissan about early interest (around 20,000 pre-orders expected) and production volumes (just 5,000), but we know it's also much easier to raise a hand than sign a lease. Still, it's a strong signal that the company vision could soon be a popular vehicle. As one Nissan representative said, "We're serious when we say mass market." In the near future, Nissan will announce detailed pricing information (the vehicle is still 11 months away, after all) and more information on markets where the all-electric car will be available.

Photos copyright ©2010 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.


PRESS RELEASE

Nissan Leaf Electric Car Wins 2010 Green Car Vision Award™

Electric Hatchback a Significant Step for Automaker, Green Car Journal Says

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Nissan Leaf battery electric car has been named Green Car Journal's 2010 Green Car Vision Award™ winner at The Washington Auto Show. The innovative Leaf is scheduled to go on sale later this year.

Along with the Leaf, this year's Green Car Vision Award™ nominees included the Coda electric sedan, Ford Focus BEV electric car, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and Toyota Prius PHV plug-in hybrid. Each of these nominees, in its own way, presents a strong vision for the future of the automobile.

"Nissan's move to offer a stylish battery electric vehicle as part of its model line is significant," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. "This coming electric model will provide the features, the styling, and the driving experience that will meet the needs of a sophisticated and demanding market, while producing zero localized emissions and requiring no petroleum fuels."

The vehicle's cost does not exceed that of a comparable internal combustion model and the gas to run it.

"This kind of price parity is crucial to the success of any mass market advanced technology model," Cogan says.

To be considered for the Green Car Vision Award™, vehicles must be in their early stages of commercialization but not yet on sale, in small volume production with more than one functional prototype in existence, or operating as part of a demonstration fleet. A nominee may be an all-new model or an advanced adaptation of an existing model, such as a conversion to another type of power like electric drive.

About Green Car Journal

The award-winning Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment since its launch in 1992. The Green Car Vision Award™ is a trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.

About WANADA and The Washington Auto Show®
The Washington Auto Show® is considered the Public Policy Show on the industry's global circuit. As producers of the auto show, the Washington Area New Auto Dealers Association (WANADA) represents nearly all franchised new car dealers in and around the Washington metropolitan region. For more information, contact www.washingtonautoshow.com and www.wanada.org.

Our travel and lodging for this media event were provided by the Auto Alliance.