(Tokyo, October 21, 2009) Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault followed up his Frankfurt show announcement of four electric Renault vehicles with the news that Nissan could soon have a similar number. The first battery powered vehicle from Nissan will be the LEAF hatchback that was announced last August. The LEAF will go into low-volume series production in 2010 for use in government and commercial test fleets.

By 2012 the LEAF will be mass produced for retail sale and Ghosn promises that it will be the most affordable battery electric vehicle on the market. Nissan has hinted at a price of approximately $27,000 in the US market. However, that price is after government incentives and is not expected to include the cost of the battery pack. The battery will probably be leased separately.

In addition to the LEAF, Ghosn announced that a battery powered version of the NV200 light commercial van would be built along with a compact four seat sedan for the premium Infiniti brand. No additional details were offered on either of these vehicles although Nissan officials promised the van would be shown soon and Ghosn himself said the Infiniti would be revealed in the near future.

The LEAF uses a new platform specifically developed for electric drive applications. The Infiniti sedan will probably be based on the same platform.

The fourth possible addition to the lineup would be based on the Land Glider concept revealed here at the show. Ghosn glided silently out onto the stage in Tokyo in the tandem two seater. The Land Glider uses a pair of electric motors in the rear wheels and the body tilts like a motorcycle while cornering.