Unveiled: 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car

Nissan announced a new five-seat electric hatchback is destined for sale in Europe, Japan, and the United States by late 2010. Leaf will be a zero-emissions vehicle powered by a 90kW lithium-ion battery pack. Nissan claims a 100-mile range. Leaf can be charged to 80 percent in 30 minutes with an industrial quick charger or fully charged from a 220-volt home outlet in about eight hours.

Leaf will be connected to a global data center that will provide driver support, information, and entertainment. A true mobile connected device, the Leaf will allow owners to use a cell phone to turn off the air conditioning and configure charging even when the vehicle is not powered. A display will show Leaf's remaining power and also the location of the nearest charging station.

Although Nissan has been slow to embrace the hybrid idea, we predicted that it would be a pioneer in the pure EV field. (Read: "Electric cars take charge in Israel, Denmark.")  Globally, and in conjunction with partner Renault, Nissan has been developing and testing electric vehicles for years and is partnered with Project Better Place to provide a charging infrastructure. With the Leaf, Nissan joins a number of other automakers who have recently announced production electric vehicles including the Mitsubishi i-Miev and Subaru R1e.

The price has not yet been announced, but Nissan says it will be priced similarly to a well-equipped sedan in the vicinity of the high $20,000 and with government tax break. Initial Leaf hatchbacks will initially be imported from Japan, while future plans calling for battery and car production in the United States.

—Liza Barth