Reviews - Nissan Leaf - electric vehicles
autocar.co.uk - 11/04/2010
Nissan Leaf 80kw European Spec Test
After months of drip-fed information, development drives and a first test in Japan, the moment to drive the European-spec Nissan Leaf on European roads has finally arrived. This is the very same car British buyers will be able to pay £23,990 for (including 20 per cent VAT and the government’s £5000 electric car grant) from March 2011.
You’ll already know a lot about the Leaf by now, but here’s a quick recap. It uses a dedicated EV platform with a conventional MacPherson strut front/torsion beam rear suspension set-up. A 24kWh laminated lithium-ion battery pack (packaged between the axles and below the seats for optimised weight distribution) powers a 107bhp, 206lb ft high-response synchronous electric motor.
Danny's Contentment - 09/09/2010
Driving the Nissan Leaf EV
I got to drive the new Nissan Leaf last week. Watch the film of the car, the journey and talking to Nissans EV staff.
On another note, great news that the new Govenrnment has stuck with the £5000 subsidy (or at least for some of the intended investment). Fantastic as these family cars are, they need subsidies to help reach prices that are realistic for most people to even consider switching to electric drive.
Yahoo - 09/09/2010
Nissan Leaf
The electric car has arrived, and it'll be on sale in Nissan showrooms from next year. We drive a production ready version of Nissan's groundbreaking LEAF family hatchback and find it entirely ordinary. That's a very good thing.
An electric family car: a plug-in vehicle that's mainstream. The Nissan LEAF really is an electric car that's aimed at the general public rather than a handful of green-minded pioneers. It's about the same size as a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf and looks utterly conventional, too. What's different about it is its drivetrain, which is entirely electric.
BusinessGreen.com Nissan Leaf 09/09/2010
BusinessGreen.com sizes up two of the most high-profile electric cars ahead of their launch next year.
The UK government last week made a rare exception to its spending review process, otherwise scheduled to conclude in October, by confirming grants for the purchase of electric cars would go ahead.
The grants contribute 25 per cent towards the purchase of battery electric cars or plug-in hybrids, up to a maximum of £5,000 per car. In total £43m has been allocated – sufficient for an initial 8,600 cars - starting in January 2011 and running until the end of March 2012, with a review slated for January 2012.
THE INSIDER - 11/16/2010
The future is LEAF
LEAF travelled to Lisbon in Portugal recently to take part in a pan-European test drive. Over forty key motoring journalists from the national press, online technology sites and motoring magazines including What Car?, Auto Express and Business Car, alongside Channel Five’s Fifth Gear took part.
The feedback was very positive and focused on the many benefits of LEAF including its excellent handling and responsiveness. Here’s a sample of the coverage:
What Car? gave LEAF five stars, praising its performance: “it pulls hard the instant you hit the accelerator, and feels just as strong on the move. That makes it incredibly easy to drive.” “Refinement is another huge bonus. Apart from a faint whirr when you first pull away, you won't hear a peep from the motor.” What Car?
PARKERS Auris Encounters a LEAF 05/04/2011
Toyota Faces Electrifying Competition
Two hatchbacks, two different eco options - but which one is best, Nissan's LEAF or Toyota's Auris Hybrid? There's only one way to find out which comes out on top - FIGHT!
Firstly, let's explore propulsion methods. The LEAF is an all-electric car and its motor makes 80kW, equivalent to 108bhp. It will hit 62mph in 11.9 seconds. The Auris' power comes from a hybrid petrol/electric system, with a maximum output of 134bhp. It hits 62mph in 11.4 seconds - marginally faster.
That's +1 for Auris.
Next, let's look at fuel costs. I've been seeing around 340 miles to a tank of fuel in the Auris, with an average overall fuel economy of 43.7mpg. This works out to around 14 pence per mile in fuel. The LEAF will do 110 miles to a 'tank' but because it only costs £2 to 'fill up', charging overnight on an Economy7 energy tariff, the cost per mile in fuel terms is 1.82 pence.
That's +1 for LEAF
How much tax will I have to pay? Well, CO2 emissions for the LEAF are zero thanks to its electric powerplant. The Auris emits 93g/km CO2, meaning road tax is free for both cars. Company car tax, however, is also free for the LEAF while Auris drivers will have to pay 10% BIK taxation.
AUTO TRADER LEAF hatchback expert review 05/13/2011
The verdict
The Nissan LEAF is the first all-electric car which can realistically compete with established, conventional engined hatchbacks like the Focus and Golf. Its range is enough for 95 per cent of UK driver’s daily needs.
WHAT CAR? LEAF HATCHBACK REVIEW 05/13/2011
For: The Leaf is easy, fun and comfortable to drive. It’s roomy enough for a family, and it costs peanuts to run.
Against: The very nature of electric motoring (range limited to a maximum of about 100 miles, eight-hour charging time) means that the Leaf won't suit many people's lives.
What Car? says 4 out of 5 stars The future looks bright, because the world's first mass-produced electric car is fast, fun and comfortable. It's pricey, but it costs peanuts to run and you get stacks of kit included. Our Electric Car of the Year 2011.