http://metronews.ca/drive/1124401/the-nissan-leaf-ev-may-seem-futuristic-but-it-looks-handles-and-is-starting-to-sell-like-a-regular-small-car/ The Nissan Leaf EV may seem futuristic, but it looks, handles and is starting to sell like a regular small car By Mike Goetz August 12, 2014
[image http://metronewsca.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/nissan.jpg ] 2015 Nissan Leaf • Type: Five-door, front-wheel-drive compact hatchback • Engine: 80 kW AC electric motor with 24 kW Lithium-ion battery (equivalent to 107 hp) • Transmission: Automatic (single-speed gear reducer) • Base price: $33,788 A lot of folks, on both sides of the consumer/automaker fence, don’t think this electric-vehicle thing has legs. Many automakers are sending mixed messages. Toyota has even announced that it’s done selling pure EVs. But you know what? New models keep showing up. The number of people buying and considering them is rising (slowly, yes, but definitely rising). And EVs remain one of the few surefire ways for automakers to achieve the very strict fuel-efficiency regulations coming down the pike in the U.S. Net result: EVs have put down serious roots. So it’s time to think of them as less of a novelty and more as just another alternative that may or may not fit your lifestyle. In the compact or midsize categories, the EV that should be at the top of your consideration list is the Nissan Leaf, first introduced in 2011. With the Leaf, Nissan went out of its way to make non-believers comfortable, with a modern (but not too space-shippy) exterior, and ride and handling characteristics similar to what compact car drivers are used to. Along the way, the company added a new, lower-priced base model and reduced prices across the board by $3,000. It also gave the Leaf a faster charger, which reduced 220-volt charge time to five hours from seven. It took awhile to gain traction, but Nissan has now sold more than 125,000 Leafs around the world and is on pace to sell about 100 a month in Canada, where Quebec is the best market by far. Alberta? Not so much. While recently testing a 2015 model, I was again reminded how normal this car feels. The only thing that separates it from similar gas-powered hatchbacks is its silent running and above-average acceleration. The electric motor offers the equivalent of 107 horsepower, but the instant and full torque of electric propulsion translates into good jump whenever you hammer the go-pedal. EVs are pioneers in telematics, and the Leaf is no exception. Drivers can use the Internet or a smartphone to control air conditioning, set charging functions, and access data like the charge status of their rides. Like the Leaf itself, it’s the future. Market position Designed to be an EV for both early adopters and mainstream compact car buyers. Unlike its competitors, the Leaf was designed from the ground up as an EV. It is now the global leader in EV sales, with a 45-per-cent market share. Points • Maximum range of 135 km on a full charge • Eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty • Some provincial subsidies available for EV purchase • Charge time (zero to full) takes 20 hours at 110 volts, 4 hours at 220 volts • Drives and feels like a conventional compact Safety features Six airbags, ABS, traction and stability control, tire-pressure monitoring system, anti-theft engine immobilizer, rear-view monitor, available 360-degree monitor. [© 2014, Free Daily News] For all EVLN posts use: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/11397905.Electric_car_buffs_launch_Malvern_club_to_promote_eco_friendly_motoring/ Malvern Hills EVr's electraa.org.uk promote eco-friendly motoring http://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2014/AUG/LUX_120814.shtml SiC & GaN to displace silicon in EV power electronics by 2020 http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/06/tesla-roadster-400-miles-range-battery-pack-upgrade/ Tesla Roadster Pack Upgrade For A 400-Mile Range http://recombu.com/cars/articles/news/nab-yourself-a-free-electric-car-home-charger-thanks-to-chargemaster Nab a free 3kW home Chargemaster EVSE for UK plugin drivers ... http://www.energylivenews.com/2014/08/13/electric-car-firm-renews-promise-of-free-home-charging/ + EVLN: C$36450 i3 EV> Toronto,Montreal&Vancouver r:160km 0-100kph:7.2s {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-C-33-8k-Leaf-EV-modern-but-not-too-space-shippy-tp4670999.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
