Nissan has the largest lithium-ion battery plant in the U.S., and journalists toured the facility on Earth Day (April 22). The new 475,000 square foot battery plant in Smyrna, Tennessee neighbors the assembly facility for the Altima and Maxima sedans and the all-electric Leaf. The Leaf’s battery pack is comprised of 192 cells--the equivalent to 4,500 smart phone batteries, according to Jeff Deaton, Director and Plant Manager of the Nissan Battery Plant. Those laminated cells power an 80 kW AC synchronous electric motor (rated at 107 horsepower and 187 pounds-feet of torque) that drives the front wheels through a single-speed reducer. Leaf is sold in S (new for 2013), SV, and SL trims. After deducting the $7,500 federal tax savings, Leaf S’s MSRP is $21,300.

Leaf’s 2013 model year modifications are the most substantial since the car’s debut in the 2011 model year. The revisions include an available 6.6kW onboard charger (reducing 220-volt, full- charge time to approximately 4 hours; about half the time of the 2012 model), charge port door release via key fob, and a new ‘Eco-route’ feature with suggested power-saving alternative routes on the available navigation system. Leaf also gains cargo space with the relocation of the onboard charger to the vehicle’s front. With the 2nd row upright, the car has 24 cubic feet of cargo space (versus the 2012 model’s 14.5 cubic feet). With the 60/40 split-fold rear seat in the down position, Leaf offers 30 cubic feet of stow space (versus the 2012 model’s 24 cubic feet). Depending on speed, outside temperature and other factors, the Leaf’s driving range is typically more than 84 miles.