Life with a used Nissan Leaf: 18 months on

In October 2015, I took the plunge and purchased a three 12-month vintage Nissan Leaf for around $10,000. It was no longer awful, given it had 16,000 miles on the clock.

2016 Nissan 370z

I posted some updates about the weather using and lending the component out when we had been there on holiday. Still, I realized this week that I hadn’t posted much on my lengthy-term riding experience. So here’s the summary:

It has been amazing

I love No longer going to gas stations. I love Now, not procuring fuel. And (noticeable for those who nonetheless suppose I should be driving a golfing cart), I love the real riding experience, too. Authentic, it may be a touch slow while operating in “eco” mode, which slows acceleration, reduces the quantity of A.C. you could crank, and maximizes regenerative braking to hold range—a feature that insects both my wife and my extra lead-footed friend who borrowed it. But if you’re not riding to some distance, you may, without difficulty, override that feature, and it is as zippy as anything.

Life with a used Nissan Leaf: 18 months on 1

The most effective predominant drawback is undoubtedly related to one of its number one blessings: Because I no longer need to fear normal oil changes, it could be clean to overlook approximately renovation. In truth, it is most effective. Due to the fact, I’m penning this put up that I remember, I should probably have the tires rotated and the brakes checked. Aside from that, the auto appears to hold on chugging with little need for TLC.

The other factor I must probably document is the range and variety of tension. And many people have written all around the internet about this; it’s worth noting that those are two wonderful things. So allow me to say this: I’ve by no means gotten nearly jogging out of rate. Even on days when I thought I might be pushing my range (which theoretically maxes out at eighty-two or so miles—much less with highway use), I’ve gotten home with 15 to twenty miles on the “gasometer.” And occasionally, when someone inside the family has forgotten to plug it in, we have a Nissan dealership close by with an unfastened rapid charger, which I can use to top up. This is partially due to the reality that we nonetheless have one fuel automobile in the family. (Quickly to be a plug-in hybrid.) Any time I want to power similarly than is sensible in the Leaf,

I can usually switch with my better half off as she also works locally. It also helps that we hooked up a Stage 2 charger at home—a circulate that became probably No longer vital; however, it provides convenience and peace of mind. Variety anxiety, however, is a barely greater complicated count. I’ve observed that many folks tend to worry if the battery drops below 25%. And that anxiousness can cause driving the gasoline automobile “just in case.” So, suppose you’re considering an electric-powered car. In that case, it is worth thinking No longer simply in phrases of absolute variety but in terms of the consolation zones of anybody using it.

Because more modern Leaf models are available with 27% extra range, and Tesla’s Model three and Chevy’s Bolt will Soon be supplying two hundred+ mile stages, I might believe that range tension will Soon start to disappear. Subsequently, I can also proportion this from my revel in Assume many humans to ask about your vehicle. I’ve misplaced how many pals are involved, and many are talking about taking the plunge themselves. I have stated it earlier, but we may add that we will all be surprised by how fast electrified transportation takes off. Then, we can get to paintings on tackling vehicle dependence, too. However, the Leaf has been an awesome first foray into ending my oil dependency. I could not advise it greater quiet.

Nissan LEAF Takes an Ambitious Step Into The Destiny
Leaves or Leafs

Over the previous few years, Nissan has made Formidable strides, or as an alternative, brilliant leaps in its search for greener automobile answers. The result? The world’s first 100% 0-emissions electric automobile designed for the mass market, the Nissan LEAF is the Leading Environmentally pleasant Low-cost Family vehicle. The globe has taken observe as the LEAF has already earned such prestigious accolades as the 2011 – 2012 Eastern Vehicle of the 12 Months, 2011 European Car of the Year, and 2011 World Vehicle of the Year awards. However, Nissan’s relationship with the electric car did not start with the LEAF and went Again as far as 1997 when it brought its Altra E.V. to the International Car Display. Nissan only produced about two hundred Altra E.V.s offered as fleet vehicles between 1998 and 2002. Following the Altra turned into the Nissan Hypermini, the Nissan EV-eleven prototype electric-powered car was based totally on the Nissan Tiida.

All Roads brought about the successful LEAF that was formally released in December 2010 after production started in October of that identical 12 months at Nissan’s plant in Oppama, Japan. First of all, a target general of fifty 000 devices have been to be finished in 2011, But the earthquake and tsunami in March of that year halted manufacturing. Nissan plans to produce the LEAF inside the States and the U.Okay to look to the growing demand within the U.S. And Ecu markets. Within the near Destiny. Although the concept would possibly appear futuristic, the 5-door Hatch’s layout is nothing out of the normal. The most important function of the LEAF’s styling is its upwards-slanting LED headlights and aerodynamic V-fashioned form.

However, what’s under the hood makes all of the difference. The LEAF’s front setup, the electrically powered motor, is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can supply up to 80kW of electricity and 280Nm of torque. The battery lets the LEAF travel distances of as much as 160km on one fee while it could reach a pinnacle velocity of 145km/h. The E.V.’s advanced powertrain No longer best gives a brand new driving experience but also promises smooth and responsive acceleration with strong coping and a quiet trip. Only 12 months after its launch, the Nissan LEAF sold over 20,000 units in countries like Japan, the U.S., and numerous Ecu markets, translating into 32 million miles traveled without gas usage. Thinking about the ensuing discount in carbon footprint, Nissan’s electric-powered vehicle is surely paving the way for different automobile manufacturers and the entire Destiny of the car enterprise.

Definition of Leaf

The writer is an experienced automobile engineer and has labored with global producers. The author now and again writes Nissan Specials, Information, and Blog Posts on motoring subjects that include Nissan LEAF critiques for the African market.

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Writer. Extreme twitter advocate. Hipster-friendly food expert. Internet aficionado. Earned praised for my work analyzing Yugos for the government. Spent 2002-2008 short selling glucose with no outside help. Spent several months developing strategies for xylophones in Ocean City, NJ. What gets me going now is supervising the production of cod in Cuba. Spoke at an international conference about supervising the production of inflatable dolls in Hanford, CA. Spent two years short selling cabbage in Tampa, FL.