The Leaf is probably Nissan most valued project as they have invested a lot in producing the ultimate EV vehicle. While it may still be far from perfect, the Leaf carries a massive potential in shaping the future of cars. Just recently, Nissan has launched the all-new Leaf and here is our take on it.
In terms of design, the Nissan Leaf looks extraordinary in the awkward sense. The vehicle is simply shaped like a space pod seen in sci-fi movies and the eerie grey colour enhances that alien-liked design. This is something drivers need to adjust themselves to but on the plus side; the Leaf comes with four-doors.
Inside the vehicle, Nissan did a great job in keeping everything neat and tidy, although, we don’t quite understand the need for interior lightings. Yes, they all look good and make a great mood-setter but it defeats the purpose of saving energy.
The latest Leaf runs on a fully electrical powertrain which consists of an 80kW electric motor and a 24kW lithium-ion battery pack which energize it. EPA rated the Leaf’s fuel efficiency at 115mpg on combined driving conditions with a range of up to 75 miles on a full battery. Furthermore, the motor generates 108hp and 187ft-lbs of torque.
When the latter runs out of juice, a 30 minutes charge on 220-volt power socket will refill 80% of the battery capacity. For a full charge, the Leaf needs 4 hours. When charging using household electrical socket, recharging will require a full 21 hours.
Now, the listed 75 miles range is the maximum possible achievement by the driver. If the driver uses air-con, signals or utilizes the power socket, obviously, it is going to cut the range shorter.
This is among the many disadvantageous of the Leaf. As great as the vehicle may be, it is not meant to cater to everyone. The Leaf is built for inner city dwellers where charging stations can be found at a nearby street corner. The resources for EV vehicles are still lacking and far from ready to revolutionize the automotive industry.
Regardless, we have nothing but applause for Nissan’s effort in creating the Leaf as an alternative to fuel consuming machines. The entry level Leaf S retails at $28,800, SV at $31,820 and SL at $34,840.
