Franklin, TN – For the last week and a half, Johnson Elementary School students joined a select group of international journalists who came to the area to get a sneak peek at the all-electric Nissan LEAF before its public offering. Headquartered in Franklin, Nissan North America is currently hosting upwards of 200 television, print and online media from across the Americas region (Canada, U.S., Latin America, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Brazil).

 

The visiting journalists and broadcasters are participating in a “ride and drive event,” taking the LEAF on a route that represents an average driver’s typical day. Johnson Elementary School is a key stop in this hypothetical day, which provides a pit stop for the media and an opportunity for the kindergarten through fourth-grade students to see the a zero-emissions, all electric car in action.

 

Fourth-grade students have been especially interested in the car’s dynamics and environmental impact. They are currently studying natural resources, renewable and non-renewable resources, ways to conserve energy and recycling. The daily stops at the school provide them a chance to check out these new cars and ask questions of the drivers and the Nissan representatives. Nissan will wrap up its press tour this week.

 

Picture: Johnson Elementary second graders William Carroll and Jaden Johnson learn how the Nissan LEAF is charged from Linda Water Nelson, a visiting journalist.

 

Picture: Johnson Elementary second graders (left to right) Jaden Belcher, Jaden Johnson, Emma Jackson, McKenna Weathers, Hope Rees, Jack Butler, William Carroll, and David Ortiz check out the interior of the new Nissan LEAF during a media pit stop at the school.

 

 

From Nissan:

The 2011 Nissan LEAF is the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car, and ushers in a new era of mobility – the “no gas, no tailpipe” zero-emission era. The Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that seats five adults comfortably and has a range of 100 miles. Unlike internal-combustion engine-equipped vehicles, LEAF’s powertrain has no tailpipe and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases while being driven.  The Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes when equipped with a quick charge port and using a DC fast charger.  Charging at home through a 220V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours.

 

The 2011 Nissan LEAF is scheduled to commence sales in December 2010 in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee.  It is priced at $32,780 but goes down to $25,280 after a $7,500 Federal Tax Credit.  Many states are also including incentives to bring that price down further - Tennessee for example offers a $2,500 cash rebate.

For some consumers, Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, and the only car they will ever need.  For others, Nissan LEAF will be a logical addition to the family fleet –  the optimal choice for the daily commute, for example.