Why the Nissan Leaf EV Deserves Its Spot as a Top Invention for 2009

2009 is a year full of many notable inventions. Though 2009 is no different than other years, it does mark the beginning of a new automotive era. This era, "the electric era," is now officially underway. Automakers will unveil 40 electrically powered vehicles within the next 3 years and Nissan hopes to lead the way. Their offering, the Leaf EV promises to deliver above and beyond the electric offerings from other automakers.

Nissan promises a mainstream EV that will fit into the budgets of all shoppers. This 5 passenger sedan offers highway speed capability, a 100 mile range, and a price tag around $30,000. This versatility is what makes the Nissan Leaf EV one of the top inventions for 2009 selected by Time Magazine.

Time Magazine publishes an annual list of some of the best and worst occurrences of the preceding year. As the end of the year draws near, Time has released its list of the 50 most important inventions for the 2009 calendar year. Contained on that list is the much talked about Nissan Leaf EV.

Why the Leaf made the list is really not questionable. Nissan intends to market and sell the Leaf on a global scale, with sales expectations beyond the numbers of any previous electric vehicle. Inventing an electric vehicle is nothing new as EVs are now over a century old, but bringing a creation such as the Leaf to the masses at an affordable price is nearly unheard of elsewhere in the automobile kingdom.

As Time Magazine wrote, "It's not the world's first electric car, but the Nissan Leaf, launched in August, is the first fully electric vehicle built for mass production for the global market. To help drivers shift their thinking from gas to green, Japan's third largest automaker has about 30 partnerships worldwide focused on developing an infrastructure of battery-recharging stations to keep electric vehicles on the roads."

The Nissan Leaf is recognized as the world's first mass market EV from a major automaker. It will be years until we fully see if Nissan can succeed and sell hundreds of thousands each year. However, the companies commitment to the infrastructure and reasonable pricing for the Leaf suggest that they may be able to achieve their lofty goals.

Other notable transportation devices to make the list include the Honda U3-X personal mobility device, (a unique battery powered personal transportation solution) and the WorldFirst Formula 3 race car which uses unique bio-materials throughout including the use of carrot fibers and potato starch and can be propelled by bio-diesel based off of chocolate and vegetables.

Source: Time Magazine , The 50 Best Inventions of 2009