Yesterday, I reserved a Nissan Leaf Ev. Due for release here in the UK in March. Nissan were asking for a refundable deposit of £257 to secure a car. I went for black, with the optional solar cell spoiler that can draw 2 watts of energy to add to powering the myriad of controls the car has. And this morning, in the cold light of day I realise that there’s no way i’d spend £23,000 on a new EV (and thats if we get the £5,000 government grant for it).
Its a fantastic, unbelievable car and I love it. Its powerful, comfortable, roomy for an EV. Just check the video post below. And its pure electric. Real, unbridled joy took over yesterday and before I knew it I’d secured myself one. Then I told my wife, who reminded me of why we should keep our cars as is, and I knew that the warm glow of owning a new car wouldnt last. You see, we already have a roomy estate car with a big boot for those long journeys - 10 years old and still going strong. And we have a Gwiz - a small urban runabout EV that is on still on its first set of batteries and has a ton of life left in it yet. And the gwiz can still fit the kids in it, amazingly, and you get free parking, and it you can fit 2 in a bay. And thats before you mention how cheap the car is to power. And we live in London. The Leaf wouldnt provide us with a big boot for those long journeys and you cant fit more than one in a parking bay. And its range is only 100 miles so it cant really become your only vehicle. Not while the infrastructure for EV’s remain as it is. And then there’s the small issue of £23,000 to buy the car which really should go on more important stuff, were we to have it anyway.
So, within 24 hours I realise I’ll have to let that lovely Leaf go. I knew I’d never get it when I put that reservation in. But boy do I love that car, and all my EV mad mates were ordering them. I’ll have to sit and wait for a third hand Tesla in five years that sets me back £10,000. In the meantime, if you want one, and I highly recommend it, go to Nissans preorder site and bag yourself one. And then let me come and film you telling me how wonderful it is. Not that I’m jealous.
I got to drive the new Nissan Leaf last week. Here’s film of the car, the journey and talking to Nissans EV staff.
On another note, great news that the new Govenrnment has stuck with the £5000 subsidy (or at least for some of the intended investment). Fantastic as these family cars are, they need subsidies to help reach prices that are realistic for most people to even consider switching to electric drive.
Click on the image to view video.
There’s been an investigation into EV Values based on 5 years of ownership here in the UK by Glass’s guide who track used care prices. Based on an average £8000 outlay to replace batteries which will need replacing after eight years, the car will be worth just 10% of its original value, and far below its diesel or petrol equivalents. They’ve based their research on cars such as the forthcoming Nissan Leaf with a starting price of £23,000 after utilising the £5000 Government subsidy. You can read the article here. Heck, maybe I’ll be able to afford that Tesla in 2014 after all….
I got a chance to take a ride in Nissans hydrogen FCV. Very smooth, very responsive, very quiet…even goes a long way on a tank full. Now all we need is a few hydrogen filling stations. I think we’re up to three in the UK now..
Click on the image to view video.
Links:electric car vlogging Nissan FCV ev Hydrogen
Nissan invited me to Paris the other day to take a look at the NuVu Concept EV, ahead of it’s debut at The Paris Motor Show. Blimey! That’s a sign of the times. A major manufacturer ready to make claims about release dates on EV’s. Things are looking up! It’s a very promising concept. Let’s hope the city car they produce will bear some resemblance to this one. Looks to me as though Nissan may leave the other manufacturers standing in the race to get a commercially sold EV runabout on the market.
Lithium Ion
125 KM Range
120 KMH Speed
3-4 Hour charge time with a 80% Quick charge in 10-20 mins.
Click on the image to view video….
Links:Nissan vlogging video podcast NuVu Concept Paris Motor Show Project Better Place
Got some instruction on the way Hydrogen Fuel Cells work from Brian Johnston, Nissan’s senior product engineer who looks after their hydrogen fuel cell projects in Sacramento, California. We also talked a bit about Nissan’s plans with EV’s.
Click on the image to view video.
Links:hydrogen car vlogging video podcast nissan Hydrogen EV
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