As Nissan prepares for Nissan LEAF vehicle deliveries in December, select dealers across the country have completed electric vehicle (EV) readiness training and are among the first to add EV charging infrastructure to their dealership operations.

By the end of this week, more than 40 Level 2 (240V) chargers will be installed at dealers. By January 2011, more than 150 dealers will have chargers installed in the targeted launch markets of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee. Each dealer will install four charging docks: two for operational support and two in customer-access areas. More than 90 percent of Nissan LEAF reservation holders located in the primary Nissan LEAF launch markets reside within 10 miles of a Nissan dealer.

"We're proud to have strong partners in our dealer group who, like Nissan, are investing in affordable, sustainable mobility," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America. "Congratulations to them for recognizing the opportunity to invest in a zero-emission future, and for providing Nissan LEAF drivers with a convenient, alternative charging point."

All dealers who sell the Nissan LEAF first must attain zero-emission certification. Certification includes extensive training, both online and in-person, as well as investing in the tools and charging to support the sale and service of the Nissan LEAF. The dealer charging stations are supplied by AeroVironment Inc., Nissan's home charging partner.  

"We are pleased to make Nissan dealers among the first in the nation to become EV-ready as we move forward building comprehensive coverage for the successful introduction of the Nissan LEAF," said Kristen Helsel, vice president of EV Solutions for AeroVironment.

Approximately 20,000 U.S. consumers have reserved a Nissan LEAF since reservations opened on April 20. Nissan LEAF begins rolling out to select markets in the United States, Japan and Europe in December. It initially will be produced in Oppama, Japan, and beginning in 2012 will be produced in Nissan's vehicle assembly facility in Smyrna, Tennessee.