As the world's first mass-market and consumer-priced all-electric car, the Nissan LEAF starts at a rather reasonable $32,780—and, when fully loaded, tops out around $36,000. As with most plug-in vehicles, the LEAF qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit—which you can claim on your federal income taxes if you purchase the vehicle yourself, but you will only qualify for the entire credit if you have a tax liability more than that amount.

The LEAF is also available as a lease for $350 a month for 3 years with a $1,999 down payment. One of the main reasons the lease is relatively reasonable given the mid-$30,000 price is that when you lease the vehicle, Nissan is able to use the entire $7,500 tax credit as an additional down payment on the lease and then can claim the tax credit. In addition to the federal tax credit, many states offer additional lucrative incentives—including state tax credits, instant cash rebates, carpool lane access, and special parking privileges.

As with all cars running on electricity and an electric motor, the LEAF's operating cost per mile can be several times lower than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. Using the U.S. average electricity price of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, the LEAF will cost approximately 3-4 cents per mile to operate. Electricity prices are incredibly variable around the country and world, so you'll want to do your own calculations depending on where you live. The LEAF also benefits from having a relative handful of moving parts compared to a car with a combustion engine and drivetrain, and also lacks emissions equipment, which can add up to significant service savings over time—no oil changes or catastrophic mechanical failures.

The LEAF's closest all-electric competition is the upcoming 2012 Ford Focus Electric and, to some extent, the Mitsubishi i. The i will sell for a thousand or two less than the LEAF, although exactly how much will depend on trim choice and options. We expect the Ford Focus Electric's price tag to come in a bit higher than the Nissan LEAF. The difference in pricing has mostly to do with differences in range, battery technology, cargo/passenger space, vehicle size between the three vehicles, and the market assessment by the three manufacturers.