Nissan has announced the changes “upgrades” to the 2012 Nissan Leaf EV.
The 2012 Nissan Leaf gets updates, which are the result of feedback from the initial owners, which includes making many previously optional features standard. The Nissan Leaf SL now gets the DC Fast Charge capability, standard. The majority of 2011 model year Leaf owners opted for the system that allows the Leaf to be recharged at 480V reducing the charging time to 30 minutes for for charging the Leaf to 80 percent from empty. Nissan is set to offer the Leaf in more colder markets and to keep those buyers comfortable, the Leaf is now standard with a battery warmer, heated steering wheel, and heated seats in both the front and rear.
Nissan has announced plans to open up the ordering process to consumers with existing reservations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Leaf has already been on sale in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.
The 2012 Nissan LEAF starts at $35,200 for the SV trim level, and $37,250 for the SL trim level. The 2012 model’s price has jumped up significantly compared to the $32,780 entry price for the 2011 Leaf. The 2012 Leaf is still eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, which brings the price down a bit and if you decide to lease the Leaf, you can get a three year lease for $379 a month.
Nissan will expand into additional new markets as the year continues. In the fall, orders from existing reservations and new reservations will begin in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. By the end of the year, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island will be added as markets where the Nissan LEAF will be available for order.
