• EPA rates the 2011 Nissan Leaf at 99 mpg.
• The equivalency rating, expressed as 99 MPGe, is based on the EPA's city rating of 106 and highway rating of 92.
• The official EPA numbers on the Leaf's window sticker will include a driving range of 73 miles.

FRANKLIN, Tennessee — The 2011 Nissan Leaf, the first modern mainstream battery-electric vehicle headed to U.S. showrooms, has been rated by the EPA at the equivalent of 99 mpg.

The equivalency rating, expressed as 99 MPGe, is based on the EPA's city rating of 106 and highway rating of 92. In comparison, the Toyota Prius carries a combined EPA mileage rating of 50 mpg.

The official EPA numbers on the Leaf's window sticker will include a driving range of 73 miles, considerably less than Nissan's earlier claim of 100 miles. The EPA also says the Leaf will have a charging time of seven hours on a 240-volt charge.

The Leaf goes on sale next month in five states — California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee — followed by Texas and Hawaii in January.

The Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid that also is slated to reach U.S. dealers next month, has not yet received an official EPA mileage rating.

Both the Leaf and the Volt are on the short list of candidates for North American Car of the Year.

Inside Line says: Forget "range anxiety." More like "range confusion." — Paul Lienert, Correspondent