Alternative Energy: Nissan: 600 U.S.-bound Leafs left port before quake hit Japan

Nissan: 600 U.S.-bound Leafs left port before quake hit Japan: "

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Japan, USA

2011 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

The massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami that rattled Japan have had a disastrous effect on the entire nation. The catastrophe even abruptly halted production at automotive facilities across the country.

However, Nissan says that a boatload of 600 U.S.-bound Leafs left port on March 10th, a day before the quake. The electric hatches should hit U.S. turf soon and head off to dealerships in early April. This single shipment is nearly ten times the amount of total Leaf deliveries in the U.S. in the month of February alone, so we'll see more on the road before any manufacturing problems caused by the quake are felt here.

Nissan said in a statement that the future impact, if any, of the devastating quake and tsunami on the automaker's electric Leaf, 'continues to be assessed.' As of right now, we know that some of the company's plants in Japan were damaged and others will remain closed at least through the end of this week. You can see Nissan Americas' latest statement on the situation after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan LEAF