The Nissan Leaf is one of those rare things a fully electric car. There are plenty of hybrid cars available, but not that many fully electric cars.
It is a fully-fledged family car with five seats and five doors. Powered by lithium-ion batteries it has a tried and tested range of 109 miles (175 kms) that has been measured using the new European Driving Cycle. This works out at an energy consumption rate that is equivalent to an amazing 99 miles per gallon. It takes 8 hours to charge fully, but this is no problem if you charge it overnight. Many owners put it on charge between runs and have no issues with it running out of power.
The car goes 0 to 60mph in 11.5 seconds. Its top speed is only 90mph, but that is more than enough for today’s roads and most people rigidly to the speed limit, so do not want to go any faster.
The Nissan Leaf is Winning Awards
The Nissan Leaf is changing the face of the eco car market, all be it slowly. It is the first electric car to be awarded the World Car of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show, an award it picked up in 2011. It also won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year Award and was the 2011-2012 Car of the Year in Japan.
The Future Nissan Leaf
The potential of the car is clear. The Leaf is an electric car that is practical as well as looking great. Sadly, sales of the Nissan Leaf have not been that great. In the US only 984 have been sold in September, so they are likely to sell less this year, overall, than they did last year.
Sales in Europe have also been slow. However, the Nissan Leaf looks set to be available for years to come. None of the new vehicles Nissan are developing are all electric, but they seem committed to keeping the Leaf in production. Nissan see the Leaf as important to their commitment to providing greener cars. It has raised awareness of eco driving and definitely made more people interested in buying electric or hybrid vehicles.
To find out more about the Nissan Leaf and determine if is right for you visit the Westway Nissan website.