"A big hit," is how Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn predicts its all-electric Nissan Leaf will be when it is offered in the US. The Leaf is the first affordable, mass-market all-electric vehicle that will be made available in the US.

Since last month, Nissan has recorded 13,000 reservations in the US. To reserve a vehicle, customers only have to deposit $99 (a refundable amount). In Japan, Nissan has received 6,000 reservations for the…