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The first impression

Electric cars aren’t a new thing. In fact the first versions hark back to the mid-19th century. The high cost, low top speed and the short range of electric vehicle, compared to later internal combustion vehicles, led to a worldwide decline in their use.

Smelly air, the awareness of environmental damage caused by the gases emitted by traditional engines and the increasing price of oil, which affects the price of fuel, are the factors that catalyse the continuing pursuit for an alternative to the internal combustion engine.

Fast forward to 2008 and a fellow South African and owner of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, who now lives in California, launched the first production electric car, a roadster sports car. They followed their sexy head turning two-seater with a luxury electric sedan, called the Model S.

Nissan like others, watched and went to work engineering their version of an electric car. Nissan is the first large scale car maker to produce and launch a mass appeal electric vehicle. They started with their home territory and the USA initially, launching in December 2010 with their LEAF, but now the LEAF is also available in over 20 countries, including South Africa.

The Manga cartoon looking vehicle is a medium sized family hatch. Designed to comfortably accommodate five adults and still provide a generous boot. The LEAF ticks all the practical boxes. Stylistically the LEAF looks very little like any other family hatchback. Cars like the VW Golf 7 and the Toyota Auris would traditionally be competitors if size were the deciding factor.

Having spent a couple of days with the LEAF, I can happily say that what Nissan has produced redefines the car and the way it drives.

On the road

Okay, so it looks ‘different’, on the road it drives differently too, and is far more intellectual than its quirky looks would suggest. It has a motor, which isn’t really and engine, or is it? Let’s just say the traditional combustion engine has been replaced and the LEAF is driven by a lithium-ion battery pack linked to a front mounted 80kW electric motor.

With that dramatic change comes pros and cons.

The pro - the LEAF is silent, there is almost no sound of a motor intruding into the cabin, which gives a rather relaxed driving sensation. The soundless mobility (e-mobility) is something that takes getting used to but is a rather a fantastic departure from tradition. Unlike the traditional combustion engine, which has variable power peaks throughout its rev range, the LEAF has a linear power curve. In other words, you put your foot down and you instantly and progressively accelerate forward. For those concerned about our environment, it is nice to know that when driving the LEAF you are emitting zero emissions, which can’t be said for a combustion engine.

The con - you’ve heard of the saying ‘all good things come to an end’, well the biggest con of the LEAF relates to its range. An eco-engineered combustion engine should get you and average range well over 600km on a tank, the LEAF’s range is limited to approx. 195km. Filling a petrol tank takes about 5mins. To fully charge the LEAF from empty takes about the same time as a good night’s rest and gives you only a third of the range.

Secondly, the LEAF doesn’t have a traditional manual or automatic gearbox. But rather a drive or reverse mode via a playful toggle joystick. Put the car in D and it follows your instruction, without ever changing gears.

The pro – a seamless driving experience with an incredibly high-level of refinement.

The con – for people who love the feeling of driver involvement, you may feel removed from that driver experience in the LEAF.

The LEAF’s driving experience is all about being eco. As a result, basic functions like breaking the car creates kinetic energy that is used to recharge the battery from the friction created. The tyres used have been selected because of their lower levels of friction, another energy saving win for the LEAF. The rear spoiler features an integrated solar panel that minimises the impact of energy used and assists in the running of the fancy radio system.

LED daylight running lights are all the rage, Nissan has employed this technology in the headlight too, which is more than an aesthetic design element, they have been used because of their energy efficiency. This technology is also used by the kings of the luxury sedans – Audi’s A8 and Mercedes-Benz in their S-Class.

 

Keeping the batteries topped up is relatively simple, cost-effective and a technologically advanced process. Either via a home charge unit – which is supplied with the Nissan LEAF on purchase and allows the vehicle to fully charge from the main electricity supply. Alternatively via a quick charge unit located at one of the nine Nissan LEAF dealers in Gauteng and Pretoria which form part of phase one of the Nissan LEAF rollout in South Africa. Each dealer features a specialised Nissan LEAF quick charge station which enables an 80% charge from zero in just 30 minutes, free of charge to Nissan LEAF owners. Cape Town and Durban based EV dealers will follow in the forthcoming rollout phases in 2015.

 

What I liked

  • The reinvention of the driving experience.
  • The silence.
  • The refinement.
  • The comfortable ride.
  • The high levels of standard equipment.
  • The fact that the car has zero emissions.
  • The instant power from the electric motor.
  • Approx. R25.00 per full charge at home.
  • Very low running costs.

 

What I’m not mad about

  • I didn’t like the computer gaming sound the car makes when you switch it on, I feel like I’m playing a game.
  • Pity you can’t take it on a longer trip, like a drive to the coast or inland for a holiday.
  • Pricey to buy and being a pioneer I would be nervous of its resale value.

 

The figures

The extra stuff

 

The Nissan LEAF is available through selected Nissan dealers in Gauteng for R446 000 and comes standard with a 3-year/100 000km mechanical warranty and 3-year/90 000km service plan.

 

*Accolades for Nissan LEAF

 

2011 European Car of the Year

2011 World Car of the Year

2011-2012 Japanese Car of the Year

2011 EV of the Year by EV.com

2011 Eco-Friendly car of the Year by Cars.com

2010 Green Car Vision Award by Green Car Journal

2010 Breakthrough Award by Popular Mechanics

50 Best inventions of 2009 by Time Magazine

 

 

The verdict

 

It’s hard to compare the LEAF to other family hatches. It’s a pioneer in its class being the world’s first electric, affordable family car. As a result, Nissan has sold over 100 000 of them globally. Look beyond the LEAF’s looks, it is far more becoming once you have driven and lived with it.

The LEAF is one of my favourite cars of all time and will stand out in 2014 as my top three cars of the year.

It isn’t an evolution in motoring history by any stretch of the imagination but rather a huge gigantic leap in the revolution in car making.

If you have a family with two cars, I urge you to consider the LEAF as a second car. The standard combustion engine car can be used for longer trips, while the LEAF is used for daily commuting. It will be the favourite car in the family, the one everyone will want to drive or be driven in.

BMW will be launching their version of an eco-electric car, the i3 in March 2015. It too has quirky styling and will be priced above the R500k mark.

Until then, the LEAF is the leader of the electric pack!

Nissan LEAF South Africa site

 

 

 

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