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Nissan has detailed the U.S. rollout plan for its all-electric Leaf, which has attracted almost 17,000 reservations from potential buyers.
The company said the Leaf will be available in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee in December 2010; Texas and Hawaii in January 2011; and North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama in April 2011.
The five-seat EV will be available in the rest of the country by the end of 2011.
Addtionally, Nissan reported, more than 30 percent of potential Leaf customers have ordered the car in blue, while 26 percent have picked silver, and about three-quarters have picked the SL trim level that includes a rearview monitor and a solar-panel spoiler.
















The federal Energy Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Defense Department to speed up clean-energy initiatives.
The MOU doesn't lay out specific timelines or numbers, but includes initiatives such as more alternative-fueled vehicles and better fueling infrastructure for  the military.
The agreement is part of a broader effort by both departments to boost energy security while cutting emissions.
















Quantum Technologies, whose products include the electric drive system and photovoltaic roof module for the upcoming Fisker Karma, raised $10.9 million in a private stock offering and said the funds will be used for general operating purposes.


Capstone Turbine Corp. has begun a range-extender demonstration project for heavy-duty trucks:
Capstone is working with a U.S. manufacturer of Class 5 to Class 8 heavy-duty trucks (all trucks that weigh more than 16,000 pounds) on what it says is the first hybrid-electric range-extender of its kind, using a microturbine to generate power to run an electric drive system.
Capstone microturbines can run on diesel and biodiesel as well as natural gas.

Tags: Hydrogen, Plug-ins and Electric, Hybrids, Microturbine, News Briefs

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GreenBriefs: Leaf Rollout, DOD Energy Plan, Quantum Cash, Capstone Hybrid was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.