First Nissan LEAF in Canada Delivered to Customer

The EV hatch from Nissan was introduced late last year in Japan and the United States, and is now finding its way through to Canadian roads. The first MY 2011 Nissan LEAF unit was handed over to a Canadian customer, who was also the first person in Canada to place an order for the model.

Ricardo Borba, an Ottawa resident, is now the owner of a black Nissan LEAF SL which he will use as the family's primary car.

"My family and I were starting to look for a new car last year when the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred and prompted us to think about alternatives to gas-powered vehicles," said Borba. "We considered several options and the Nissan LEAF was the one that best fits our needs.”

“It's all-electric and looks and drives just like a regular car with five seats, ample cargo space and loaded with high-tech features. It's smooth, quiet and has incredible acceleration. In other words, it's fun to drive!" he continued.

Nissan Canada will continue delivery of the 2011 Nissan LEAFs across the country in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, an online reservation process for the allocation of MY2012 Nissan LEAFs will kick off in Canada in late October.

About 600 Nissan LEAFs are projected to roll on Canadian roads by the end of MY12, Nissan says.

Power for the 2012 Nissan LEAF comes from a 107-hp electric motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells.

On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles (161 km) with a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h). A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet.

Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes.

Nissan has also recently revealed the cheapest EV charger unit in the world, which is also much smaller than similar units.

The company will launch the new unit in Japan this November, but preparations are underway for future sales of the new quick charger in the US and in European markets.