Nissan has donated two LEAF electric cars to The Ohio State University for use by students in its Center for Aviation Studies.
The LEAF EVs will be available for transportation from the main campus to the university’s airport.
“The generous donation by Nissan for these incredibly efficient vehicles allows us to provide a practical alternative mode of transportation between campus and our airport,” said Center for Aviation Studies director Seth Young. “More than 100 students each semester make the 16-mile round trip multiple times weekly as they transit from their classes on campus to their flight courses, research activities and jobs at the airport. The LEAFs will be a tremendous benefit to our students and staff.”
This vehicle donation comes on the heels of the addition of five fast chargers in and around Columbus as a part of its EV Advantage Program, which aims to enhance the charging infrastructure landscape with more public fast chargers in easily accessible locations throughout the U.S. These quick chargers can charge the Nissan LEAF up to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. The Center for Aviation Studies and The Ohio State University Airport have also contributed to the installation of two electric vehicle chargers at the airport to support the campus-airport shuttle service.
“With the addition of these Nissan LEAF electric vehicles and fast chargers, Ohio State and the Columbus area have quickly become EV-friendly communities,” said Andrew Speaker, director, Nissan Electric Vehicle Sales and Marketing. “These LEAF vehicles not only fulfill a transportation need, but they also allow students and faculty to experience firsthand the benefits of going electric, including LEAF’s lower operating costs and fun-to-drive nature.”
Nissan is the global leader in EVs with more than 188,000 LEAF sales globally and more than 84,000 in the U.S. The new 2016 Nissan LEAF boasts an EPA-rated driving range of 107 miles on a fully charged battery and a starting price of less than $30,000.
The all-electric Nissan LEAF is offered in three trim levels, and shoppers can choose from a variety of available premium features such as leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and 7-speaker BOSE energy efficient audio system.
