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Call it the year of the electric sedan: After a series of delays, name changes, deals and design tweaks over the last two years, three automakers have unveiled their visions for a first generation of all-electric family vehicles. The latest model comes from Nissan (s NSANY), which set out last year for nothing less than world domination of zero-emission (technically zero tailpipe-emission) vehicles and this weekend debuted the design and specs for its 2010 LEAF.
But startups Tesla Motors and Coda Automotive, each working to field a mass market electric sedan of their own within the next two years, have other ideas. We’ve put together a chart showing how the three models — the Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, and Coda Sedan — stack up on key points like price, performance, technology and funding.
| Nissan LEAF | Tesla Model S | Coda Sedan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planned launch: | 2010 | 2012 | 2010 |
| Sticker price: | “Comparable” to mid-size family sedans (estimates: $24,000-$30,000), excluding the battery, which may be leased | $57,400 | $45,000 |
| Funding: | Internal; $1.6 billion DOE loan | Venture capital; $465 million DOE loan | Venture capital |
| Maximum range: | 100 miles city driving, less for highway | 160 miles with standard battery pack, 230 or 300 miles with premium battery packs | 90-120 miles |
| Expected max speed: | 76 MPH | 120 MPH | 80 MPH |
| Seats: | 5 | 5, plus 2 rear-facing child seats in the back | 5 |
| Rollout plan: | Start selling initially in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and later expand to other markets. | Tesla has showrooms/service centers in Menlo Park, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York City and London. It plans to open additional stores in Munich and Monaco. | Start selling in California, potentially expanding to other U.S. states after 2010. |
| Where the car will be made: | Oppama, Japan and Smyrna, Tenn. | California | China |
| Key partners: | Renault, plus utilities and governments in California, Oregon and throughout Europe and Asia | Daimler (s DAI) | Lishen, Hafei, UQM Technologies |
| Production volume: | 50,000 units in the first year | 15,000-20,000 units per year | 2,700 units in 2010, scaling up to 20,000 units in 2011 |
| Acceleration: | Unknown | 0-60 in 5.6 seconds | 0-60 MPH in under 11 seconds |
| Standard charging time: | 16 hours at a 100V outlet, 8 hours at a 200V outlet | 4 hours at a 220V outlet | Less than 6 hours at 220V |
| Fast charging time: | 30 minutes (0-80 percent) | 45 minutes | Less than an hour |
| Type of battery: | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery capacity: | 24 kWh | 42 kWh | 33.8 kWh |
| Who will supply the batteries: | Nissan’s joint venture with NEC | Unknown | A new joint venture between Coda and China-based cell giant Lishen |
| How long the automaker has been around: | 76 years | 6 years | Coda Automotive launched in June as a spin-out from 5-year-old Miles Electric Vehicles |
| Tech features: | EV-IT System, iPhone app for remotely monitoring and controlling temperature and charging | 17-inch “infotainment” touchscreen (although this may not make it to production); 3G connectivity | Navigation, “green screen” for monitoring driving efficiency |
Leaf looks like a decent choice for in the city.
hi there your data is all wrong on leaf i have the car magazine that tested leaf 97 mph 100 miles range and there will be 150,000 units first year second year 250,000 more units thats 350,000 per year by third year soo pick up a copy of a car magazing
The CODA only seats 4 people. And the Leaf is 32k before the 7500 tax credit.
Another example of 90MPH for the Leaf:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4249597893_da4c27540e.jpg
Why do you say 76 MPH top speed for the Leaf?
Nissan says 90…
http://350green.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/leaf-specs-table.jpg
I love the fact that the LEAF will bring the first electric car to the masses but the model s has to be the better choice. All the specs say it, its better in every way. In addition to that its massively better looking than the LEAF.
p.s.
very glad Sunderland got the Europe build for this. Ensuring quality.
Certainly the LEAF seems, on the surface, to be the better choice. However, when considering the battery lifespan of Li-Ion, the Tesla is the better choice. I’d rather have 279 miles of range after five years than only 70. Plus, all the cars will pay for themselves through savings at the pump. In addition, the Tesla model S is assembled in one location, so all parts are designed, fitted, and tested by the same group of engineers who can easily communicate. I’d go with Tesla hands down.
LEAF by a mile. Model S is too spendy / niche and Coda is too untested / small name / small run.
Those others will certainly heat up the race, but I forsee the LEAF really being the dominant player here. I will line up to buy one.
The Leaf seems a perfect Zipcar or city/commute car.
Can’t wait to see those in the streets.