NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville got its first peek on Monday at Nissan's new all-electric car, the Leaf. Set to go on sale to the general public in December, it was on display at the Sommet Center downtown.

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Few would dispute the benefits to a zero-emissions car, but it is making road builders a little nervous since funds will likely decrease if less gas is sold.

"The battery takes eight hours to charge overnight and will run about 100 miles on a charge," said Nissan director of government affairs Tracy Woodard.

The car can be charged at home or work on a 220-volt charging station, which comes with the car, or drivers can use public chargers that will be set up around Tennessee.

"Tennessee will have 2,500 charging stations funded with a Department of Energy grant. That will give Tennessee a head start on infrastructure," said Woodard.

Nissan said it will cost $2 or $3 for enough electricity to drive 100 miles, which is about one-third of what it would cost for gas.

But drivers who are not buying gas are not helping build and maintain public roads in Tennessee.

Every time drivers fill up their gas tank, they are paying more than 21 cents in gas taxes. Tennessee raises $655 million a year for road projects through taxes on gas. That money would dwindle if electric cars become more popular.

It's a concern for the Tennessee Department of Transportation because electric cars wear out the roads just as fast as other kinds of cars, without raising revenue. Nissan agrees that state and federal governments will have to look at other ways to raise that money.

"I'm not sure, but the best way will be on the federal level. We'll see," said Woodard.

The exact price of the Leaf has not been released, but Nissan said it will cost about as much as an Altima. The cars will be manufactured in Japan for the first two years and then some production will move to Smyrna, Tenn.