(July 19, 2011) Nissan North America is expanding availability of the all-electric Nissan Leaf to U.S. consumers for the 2012 model year, with upgrades based on feedback from the thousands of owners who already have driven several millions of miles in the first 100-percent electric car for the mass market.

At the same time Nissan announced 2012 prices that are $2,420 higher than 2011 prices for the base model. The new base price is $36,050 including delivery. The 2011 model year base model  is $33,630. The car's upper-grade SL model will sell for $38,100, an increase of $3,530 over 2011.

A federal tax credit continues to take $7,500 off of the sale price. Some states, such as California, Georgia and Illinois, offer additional subsidies on the zero-emission car.

Nissan on July 25 will open up the ordering process to consumers with existing reservations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

After the prioritized ordering phase for existing reservations in those markets, Nissan on Aug. 4 will open new reservations and orders to the general public, both in these new markets, as well as places where the Nissan Leaf already has been on sale (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington). Expected delivery of the first 2012 Nissan Leafs will begin in the fall.

The new Leaf gets additional standard equipment including quick charging and cold-weather features.

"Many enthusiastic consumers have eagerly anticipated ordering a Nissan Leaf of their own, and now we can make zero-emissions mobility a reality in more markets," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "In response to direct feedback from Nissan LEAF owners, the features that customers want most will come standard on the 2012 Nissan LEAF – including quick charging and cold-weather features."

New standard features include:

    • DC Fast Charge capability. The vast majority of MY11 consumers have opted for the DC fast charge port, which allows the vehicle to be charged at 480V — reducing charging time to under 30 minutes for charging the vehicle to 80 percent from a fully depleted state. As DC fast charge stations proliferate across the country, Nissan expects this feature to become even more popular. For 2012, fast-charging capability will be standard on the SL trim level.
   
     • Cold weather features. As the Nissan Leaf rolls out to U.S. markets with colder climates, cold weather features become standard equipment on all trim levels. These include a battery warmer, heated steering wheel, and heated seats in both the front and rear.