August 2, 2009

NISSAN UNVEILS "LEAF" - THE WORLD'S

FIRST ELECTRIC CAR DESIGNED FOR
AFFORDABILITY
AND REAL-WORLD REQUIREMENTS
Event ushers in a new era for Nissan and a new era for
mobility
YOKOHAMA, (Aug. 2, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the
world's first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-
powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults
and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

NISSAN LEAF

NISSAN LEAF
Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan LEAF ushers in
a new era of mobility - the zero-emission era. The car is the embodiment of Nissan's radical,
transformative vision for the future and the culmination of decades of investment and
research.

"Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment - one in which all Nissan employees can take
great pride," said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. "We have been working tirelessly
to make this day a reality - the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero - not simply
reduced - emissions. It's the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey - for people all
over the world, for Nissan and for the industry."

The "LEAF" name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air
in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving
experience. Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales in late 2010; however,
the company expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-
segment vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant
local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an
added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-
powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the
environment.

WORLDWIDE PARTNERS
Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance include
partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local governments in the Japan and
the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.

In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:

1) Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public and private

investment,
2) Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments, and
3) Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero-emissions mobility.

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION

Nissan LEAF is the first in the company's forthcoming line of EVs and is a major milestone
in the realization of the Renault-Nissan Alliance's vision for zero-emission mobility. The first
of Nissan's EV's will be manufactured at Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for
Smyrna, Tennessee, USA. Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama,
Japan, with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other sites for
investment are under study around the world.

ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a global automotive company with vehicle sales of 3.411 million in
2008. Nissan is present in all major auto markets worldwide, selling a comprehensive range
of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and light commerical vehicles.

NISSAN BLUE CITIZENSHIP

Nissan is committed to making a better world through its commitment to corporate social
responsibility. This includes programs that focus on technological innovations that focus on
people and care for the planet. Our vision for zero-emission mobility is an outgrowth of our
CSR approach, which we call Blue Citizenship. Together, we are working with our Alliance
partner, Renault, to make a better world through zero-emission mobility.

The Leaf was enthusiastically received by consumers. There were 20,000 worldwide pre-
orders for the vehicle's debut.[146] After hitting this milestone in September 2010, Nissan
stopped taking orders for the vehicle until many of this initial orders had been delivered in
early 2011.

The Leaf has received awards from multiple organizations. Notable awards include the
inclusion by Time magazine as one of the 50 best inventions of 2009.[147] At the 2010
Washington Auto Show, the Leaf was given the 2010 Green Car Vision Award by the Green
Car Journal (GCJ), who noted that the Leaf "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."[24] Popular Mechanics,
upon awarding the Leaf its 2010 Breakthrough Award, explained that the Nissan Leaf is "not
the first pure EV, but [...] hits the mainstream like none of its predecessors." Popular
Mechanics also alluded to the Leaf's 160 kilometres (100 mi) range, which is said to be
"enough for most commuters for the price of an average vehicle – and with a much lower
operating cost than gasoline-powered vehicles."[148] Other awards received by the Leaf
include the 2011 European Car of the Year,[25] 2011 Eco-Friendly Car of the Year by
Cars.com,[149] and also was listed among the 2011 Greenest Vehicles of the Year by the
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.[150][151] As of 2011 the Leaf is ranked as
the most efficient EPA certified vehicle for all fuels ever.[26]

Nissan Leaf with Level 2 recharging station unit displayed at the 2010 Washington Auto
Show

In 2009, a former Tesla Motors marketing manager criticized Nissan about the cooling
system chosen for thermal management in lithium-ion battery packs,[152]. He also claimed
there may also be an overestimation of the 160-kilometre (100 mi) range that was computed
using LA-4 or "city" mode, which may underestimate the energy draw during highway
driving conditions.[152][153]

The American magazine Consumer Reports noted that while charger costs vary between
US$700 and US$1,200, an at-home charger and its installation cost more than US$2,000 even
for simple installations.[154] Nissan estimates a typical charger installation costs US$2,200.
The article did not mention that home charger installations are eligible for a 50% federal tax
credit up to US$2,000.[155] Consumer Reports noted that the first 5,700 Leaf buyers will get
free chargers with federal support in 13 cities. The consumer group also reminded that many
older houses with only a 60–100 amp supply may need a panel upgrade to install a 240-volt
circuit, which can cost several thousand dollars.[154] The additional 220–240-volt charger is
only required for countries (mainly the North / South American continent) that do not have a
220–240-volt domestic grid and want faster charging than under 110–120-volt.

Consumer Reports also called buyers' attention to the fact that the Leaf's total out-of-pocket
costs include a US$595 acquisition fee and a US$395 disposition fee. The consumer group
also emphasized that the lease price of US$349-a-month applies only to buyers with good
credit (Tier 1, or a FICO score of 700 or above); for those with less than optimum credit, the
monthly rate would increase. They reminded buyers that the lease comes with a
23,000 km/year (15,000-mile-per-year) allowance, but additional miles will cost extra.[156]

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