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Hybrid Cars reported this morning that Nissan has announced that the price for the new Nissan Leaf electric car will be $32,780 while the lease price will be $349/month. Depending on where one lives, there are a wide range of federal and state incentives for the purchase of this car, which will reduce the total purchase price. Once such incentive is a $7.500 tax credit.

Nissan will begin accepting reservations for purchase of the 2011 Nissan Leaf on April 20th, with those who have signed up at NissanUSA to be first in line. In December, Nissan will make the car available for purchase or lease by consumers in select markets, with nationwide availability to be open in 2011. The reservation fee is $99, and is fully refundable. Reserving a Leaf grants consumers access to a place in line when the company begins taking firm orders for the car in August, and also nets them access to special Leaf-related events.

In California, which is likely to be the Leaf’s biggest market, the combined federal and state tax credits, which include a $5,000 state wide tax credit, will effectively decrease the total purchase price of the new electric car to the low-$20,000s, but consumers are advised to remember that said credits cannot be applied until tax time, and that they still need to pay the entire cost of the car up front, or arrange financing. Other states are also offering tax credits – such as a $1,500 credit in Oregon, and a $5,000 credit in Georgia, as well as allowing the Leaf to have access to the carpool lane, even if the only person inside the vehicle is the driver.

Standard features of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, at the SV trim level, include an advanced navigations system, Internet/smart phone connectivity, Bluetooth, push-buttong start, traction control and six airbags. For an additional $940, buyers can upgrade to the SL trim level, and gain a rearview monitor, automatic headlights, fog lights, and a solar panel spoiler.

As part of the purchase process for the Leaf, Nissan will also be offering personal charging docks, which operate on a 220-volt power supply, as well as their installation. These home-charging stations will be built and installed by AeroVironment, and is part of Nissan’s one-stop shopping process. A home assessment is included with the price.

According to HybridCars:

* The average cost for the charging dock plus installation will be $2,200.
* Charging dock and installation are eligible for a 50 percent federal tax credit up to $2,000.
* Using current national electricity averages, Nissan LEAF will cost less than $3 to “fill up.”
* Nissan LEAF also will be the sole vehicle available as part of The EV Project, which is led by EV infrastructure provider eTec, a division of ECOtality, and will provide free home-charging stations and installation for up to 4,700 Nissan LEAF owners in those markets:Phoenix/Tucson, San Diego, Portland/Salem/Eugene (OR), Seattle, Nashville/Knoxville.

Filed under: Buying Trends, Going Green, Nissan by Mel