Now I know the Titan is our primary interest. Still, the health of Nissan really does affect the Titan in particular; so, in my opinion, the upcoming release of the battery powered Leaf will have an impact on the longevity of the Titan.

I am also a possible future buyer of the Leaf as I find 99% of my driving consists of 10 mile round trips from my home. That hardly gets the Titan's engine warmed up and coupled with the around town mileage of 13 to 14mpg, it isn't a cheap ride.

So I'm looking for an efficient "Run around car."

I'm lookin' but not ready to buy just yet.

Red

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Copyright LA Times Jerry Hirsch:


Nissan Leaf buyers reserve their cars
More than 20% of the all-electric hatchback’s first year of production has been reserved, Nissan says. The car goes on sale in December.

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times

April 23, 2010 | 7:46 p.m.


Nissan Motor Co. said Friday that buyers have already reserved more than 20% of the first year's production of its Leaf electric vehicle.

About 6,600 U.S. consumers have paid the $99 reservation fee, and 3,700 in Japan have done the same. Nissan said it will make about 50,000 Leaf cars the first year. The automaker has said it wants to have about 40% of production reserved by December, when the car goes on sale.

The all-electric hatchback will cost $32,780. But government subsidies will reduce the price for California buyers by about a third. There's a federal tax credit of $7,500 for electric vehicles. And Californians are eligible for an additional $5,000 rebate through the state Air Resources Board. In California, that brings the base price for the standard Leaf to $20,280.

The car will be available in two versions: the standard ST model and the more premium SL, which costs an additional $940 and includes a rear-view backup camera and a solar-panel spoiler to charge an accessory battery.

Both versions will be powered by a 24-kilowatt-hour, laminated lithium-ion battery pack that will allow the Leaf to travel 100 miles per charge and reach a top speed of 90 mph.

Nissan said that about 75% of its U.S. reservations are for the higher-end SL model. And about the same percentage is from what the automaker calls its primary launch markets: Tennessee, where Nissan has its U.S. headquarters, and California, Washington, Oregon and Arizona.

For now, the Leaf will be built in Japan. U.S. production is scheduled to start in Smyrna, Tenn., in 2012.

jerry.hirsch@latimes.com

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

I think the Leaf and even the Smartfortwo is all that most people that live in the city really need. If you need a Pickup you can rent one at lowes.

It is an interesting idea. I have begun to think about what to get when I retire. I don't know if electric is the way to go for me as Phoenix is a very large place. That, plus the fact that everyone drives the freeway at 75+........... I've seen some really nasty wrecks over the years, and small cars don't do well at all

I have to agree Ol'Coot.

An electric vehicle sounds like a neat, practical, money saving idea. However, with my Titan being paid for, its cheaper to just keep & drive the Titan. Plus, the Titan is much safer in an accident too...:smile:

Valid points. EVs are not for everyone nor every locale. Here in Washington State we have plentiful hydro electricity. So that is fairly cheap. In my case, via ferry, I'm only 30 miles from Seattle. To drive around would be 130 freeway miles. The leaf is marketed as 200 miles on its battery before charging. I have no idea at what speed those 200 miles were traveled. Also,as I mentioned my trips are usually about 10 miles round trip. I might do better with a conventional small car in the long run. Time will tell, but I am intrigued with the EV concept.

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

My 05 Titan is paid for as well, and the 08 will be mine by the time I plan to retire. That does cut the cost of operating the truck WAY down. Right now I am spoiled rotten, vehicle wise. When gas prices are somewhat reasonable, I'll take the Titan, when they were up near $4 a gallon, I used the company ride........... That's gonna' hurt when I give it up and retire! Perhaps a diesel skateboard is in order??

Even better would be a solar powered skate board...

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

That's a great idea, except I need the extra power from a diesel for towing........

It that's what you need, attach one of those mondo model airplane engines. Some of those make multi-horsepower. High reving too!

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Kewl. Two or more + a couple of propellers and I can low level fly!