Electric vehicles are here, but can they really compete with conventional cars?
Nissan sheet. Car of the Year 2011. The first 100% electric car to win. Ever.
We believe that the best way to address the emissions problem is to simply not produce any emissions. So says Nissan, creators of the new Leaf.
The Nissan Leaf is a battery-powered car. But don’t let that put you off! Nissan has invested a lot of time and money in the development of this plug-in electric vehicle. It may have cost the company billions and is now being mass-produced in the UK and at Nissan plants around the world.
This car already has a reputation as a purpose-built electric car rather than a modification of an existing model, which makes it very exciting.
Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan, states that the ‘Nissan Leaf (is) competitive with conventional cars in terms of safety, performance, space and handling.’
But can you give the established mainstream petrol and diesel cars a chance? Some critics think so.
Here are some of the good things they are saying:
High Top Speed – They claim a top speed of 90 mph (144 kph)
A very smooth and quiet transmission.
The car has excellent handling and road holding.
Thoughtful design means batteries are well hidden
Plenty of space for passengers and luggage.
Good build quality and careful attention to detail.
Like all current electric vehicles, its biggest drawback is the autonomy it can travel before having to recharge it. You might be lucky to get a hundred miles on a full battery.
But we have to start somewhere. The first internal combustion cars had reliability problems, were difficult to drive and were exposed to the elements, but they gradually improved. Similarly, drivers are likely to adapt to electric vehicles and learn to deal with limited range by changing their driving strategies. Technology will improve and more charging points will appear, especially in urban areas.
Will you turn a new leaf? Will driving one of these vehicles really help the environment? – has zero exhaust emissions – but the electricity has to be produced in a power station.
To buy or not to buy? Well, it probably won’t be your first car. Its price makes it hard to recommend if you don’t live in an urban area. If you have the money and can only make short trips around town, this lively little Nissan might be the car for you.
