2012 Nissan LEAF now available to order in 7 additional US states.

On Dec. 6, Nissan officially began taking orders yesterday for its 2012 LEAF from residents of Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Deliveries of the 2012 LEAF, which features additional standard equipment including a quick-charge port and a cold-weather package, will commence in these seven additional states in spring 2012. This expansion, according to Brian Carolin, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Nissan North America, brings the Nissan LEAF "one step closer to true, nationwide availability."

The 2012 Nissan LEAF is now available to order in 30 states. Nationwide availability (50-state ordering) is tentatively set for March 2012. For 2012, the base-level Nissan LEAF SV retails at $35,200, while the up-level SL starts at $37,250 (before federal and states incentives). Of course, the $7,500 federal tax credit still applies for 2012 LEAFs, meaning the base SV's after-credit cost is $27,700. A three-year lease on a 2012 LEAF checks in at a "highly competitive" $379 per month.

Plug-Ins in the Heartland

Meanwhile, the $39,995 2012 Chevrolet Volt has been available nationwide since June 2011. Nationwide deliveries of the plug-in hybrid started last month. So, in just a few months, consumers in all 50 states will be able to buy a pure electric car or plug-in hybrid—representing the first chance for many drivers who have been reading about EVs to get behind the wheel. It will also be the first indication if electric cars will proliferate throughout the country, and not remain something reserved for California and other states on the east and west coasts. For example, will the LEAF sell well in Louisiana?