The Nissan LEAF tied for the first position in the top ten green cars for 2010, with the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera.
The LEAF has a top speed of 87-90mph; it can be charged in only half an hour to 80% of its capacity and has a range of 100 miles. It is expected to be the core of Renault-Nissan Alliance’s partnerships around the world with government bodies and utilities.
It goes on sale in the UK at the end of 2011. It has a unique connected mobility system, which is an advanced connected navigation system which connects to a global data centre to create a comprehensive suite of services.
Driving the Nissan Leaf
Voted one of the best inventions of 2009 by Time Magazine, the Leaf is just over 1500 kg due to the batteries, which are mounted in the floor under the seats.
It is a front drive care which keeps the main mass of the car nice and low; it handles with agility. It has light steering with a sharp turn-in. It accelerates smoothly but is not designed for motorway speed. The Leaf is for suburban and urban use. It drives smoothly and its 0-60mph in 11.5 seconds compares to the petrol Ford Focus. It handles bends safely and stops fast with strong brakes.
The Nissan Leaf as A Fleet Car
Priced at £28,350, which drops to £23,350 after the UK government grant, the Nissan Leaf should have much lower running costs than a petrol equivalent. The AA think that the extra money you pay for the car you should get back in a three year period, with electricity costing about a fifth of either diesel or petrol.
By many it is considered to be the world’s first affordable and practical electric production car, which has an appealing enough design. Don’t get me wrong it is unlikely to fall into your “exciting car” category; however it should have mass appeal.
It is powered by lithium-ion batteries which generate power output of over 90kW, with the electric motor which delivers 80kW/280Nm. It carries five passengers and sits on a 2700 mm wheelbase. It is 4445 mm long, 1770 mm wide and 1550 mm tall. There are no tailpipe emissions at all.
Passengers and Luggage
It includes four wide opening doors to ease ingress and egress, while the tailgate – extends to bumper level to allow easy access to the large luggage area.
Security and Safety
It is built to meet crash and pedestrian safety standards that are expected from a core C-segment vehicle. The electrical side has been made equally safe by engineers.
Nissan Leaf at a Glance
– Nissan LEAF is a purpose designed EV
– It is a 5-seater C-segment hatchback
– It performs similar to a C-segment hatchback
– It produces no tailpipe emissions
– Nissan LEAF goes on sale in the UK in March 2011
– It will be built in the UK from 2013 at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Sunderland
– It is the world’s first mainstream mass market pure EV
