Nissan goes green, launches “Leaf” electric car

Nissan unveiled its much anticipated electric car on Sunday, naming the new hatchback the rather uninspiring name of “Leaf.”

The Leaf runs 100 miles (161km) on a single charge, has zero-emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases and has a charging time is seven hours, although the company notes that a 30 minute quick charge can get the batteries to 80%.

Nissan will begin selling the Leaf in the United States, Japan and Europe at the end of 2010, with production to start at around 200,000 units a year.

Initial reviews on the Nissan Leaf note that the car doesn’t immediate look or act like other electric and hybrid vehicles on the market. Video footage of the Leaf in action as follows: