Today, Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) brought sustainable mobility to
Hawaii with the arrival of the state's first all-electric Nissan LEAF.
Bill Markevitch took delivery of his Nissan LEAF SL today at New City
Nissan of Honolulu. This groundbreaking moment follows deliveries in the
launch states of California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee and
Texas.
Markevitch is a development executive for Hawaii Pacific Health who
focuses on fundraising for Kapiolani Media Center, Hawaii's Children's
Miracle Network Hospital. The Honolulu resident plans to use
photovoltaic panels installed on his home to have the sun power his car.
Electricity is the new fuel for cars, and the Nissan LEAF has the
potential to transform the automotive industry and the way people
drive, said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas. Starting today,
drivers in Hawaii have the freedom to choose a future that produces
zero tailpipe emissions, moves away from our dependence on fossil fuels
and represents the end of trips to the gas station. This Nissan LEAF
delivery signifies the dawn of a movement that brings sustainable
mobility to within our grasp.
In August 2010, Nissan announced that it had entered into an agreement
with the State of Hawaii to advance zero-emission mobility. This
partnership is helping pave the way for the introduction of the Nissan
LEAF throughout Hawaii.
We are excited about Nissan bringing the first Nissan LEAF electric
vehicle to Hawaii," said Estrella Seese, acting energy program
administrator of the State of Hawaii Energy Office. "The introduction
of the Nissan LEAF will support our state's effort to move towards a
clean energy future and meet our 70 percent energy goal by 2030."
The delivery is Nissan's first in Hawaii, completing a series of first
deliveries in each of its primary launch markets, which began in
December 2010. Nissan is on track for a nationwide launch of the Nissan
LEAF by 2012, with more states taking deliveries later this year. In
order to fulfill interest and meet demand in initial launch markets,
Nissan plans to reopen reservations in the first half of 2011 as well as
shift timing of additional markets until the second half of 2011.
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling,
engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the
environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized
as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental
Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America, the
Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at
www.NissanUSA.com.