Gov. Quinn Presides Over Sales Party For Nissan Leaf
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday personally presided over the sales party for the Nissan Leaf electric car, which is being demonstrated through the weekend in the Field Museum parking lot.
As WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports, Quinn says plans for 280 charging stations in Chicago caused Nissan to move up the introduction of the all-electric Leaf. The first zero emission vehicles will arrive this fall.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports
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Quinn said he would like to see a Land of Lincoln electric highway with charges for plug in cars from Chicago down to Springfield.
The leaf has good pickup, costs about $28,000 after rebates, has a 100-mile range on a battery with fill-up estimated to cost $2 to $3 around Chicago, and operates almost silently.
Nissan vice president Scott Becker says government is doing what it can to encourage purchase of electric vehicles.
"The state has implemented a $4,000 state tax credit toward the purchase of plug-in vehicles. This is on top of a $7,000 tax credit toward the purchase of vehicles like the Nissan Leaf," Becker said.
Leaf development director Mark Perry says Nissan attached to the car a small audio device that sounds up to 18 miles per hour to let pedestrians know when the leaf is coming.
