Introducing the Nissan Leaf

First released in late 2010, the Nissan Leaf has been dubbed the “world’s first affordable, zero-emisssion car.” Unlike a hybrid vehicle, which uses both an electric motor and a gas engine to provide power, the Nissan Leaf is entirely electric.

This approach also differs from the upcoming Chevy Volt, which has an auxiliary gas generator to provide power when needed. As of this writing, the Leaf is the only all-electric compact family car on the market.

Although it’s hard to beat petroleum-based power in terms of energy provided, the Nissan Leaf still manages an average 100 mile range, and a top speed of 90 mph, with a 0 – 60 time of about eight seconds, which is pretty impressive for a small compact car.

The Leaf is powered by an 80kW, or 107 horsepower electric motor, which draws it’s power from 24kW lithium-ion battery pack (more on the Nissan Leaf battery) that is built into the car’s chassis low down and at the center of gravity to greatly diminish body roll and improve handing.

All the reviews I’ve seen so far remark on the Leaf’s great handling, due to both the low center of gravity as well as traction control. the Leaf also has great acceleration. All of the electric motor’s 207 foot pounds of torque is available from a standing start. This is quite unlike a gasoline engine, where the torque increases with engine RPMs.

Charging of the battery is done in three different ways:

1. With standard, three-pronged 110-120v household current like you’ll find in any home. This is not really intended for every day use, unless you drive less than 40 miles, but more for “topping off” while you visit a friend. Charging will take about twenty hours using household current.
2. What Nissan calls “level 2″ and uses 220-240v, such as you would use for your electric clothes dryer in your home. This method requires a hard-wired charging dock be installed by an electrician, which is then connected directly to the Leaf.

   These charging docks are estimated to cost about $2000 to install, but this price may be offset by Federal tax rebates to some extent (read the full story on the Nissan Leaf price here). Full charge from a depleted battery will take about seven hours using this method.

3. DC Fast Chargers, which require 480v and take only 30 minutes to add about 80 miles of range to your battery’s charge. These chargers require industrial rated power supplies, so you won’t find them in the average home or business.

   Most likely, the prevalence of DC Fast Chargers will depend a lot on the adoption of electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf. For most drivers at this point in time, one of the other two options is going to be much more practical.

The Leaf’s official 100 mile range is just an estimate, of course, and will be effected by driving style, temperature, and other ambient conditions (read more about the Nissan Leaf range). Other factors, such as using the heating and cooling for the cabin or the head lights, will have a minimal impact.

The Leaf also uses regenerative breaking, which means during deceleration, the electric motor is engaged to generate current to charge the batteries, which also slowing the car. So, much of the energy you use to climb a hill can be recovered while going downhill.

The design of the Nissan Leaf is much like you might expect from a typical compact car, although much more modern looking. The front end is very low profile since there’s no combustion engine, and the hood includes two unusual looking headlights. Light is produced by solid-state and very efficient LEDs, and the headlight design itself diverts the airflow off to each side to reduce wind noise and drag.

The Nissan Leaf also uses an advanced GPRS system similar to that used in cell phones to locate and track nearby charging stations that are within range and plot them on the built in map screen.

And, since the Leaf is so quiet, Nissan actually created specific sound technology, which produces noise while the car is under way to warn pedestrians.

As the first all-electric car to come on the market, the Nissan Leaf has a distinct advantage in capturing market share. It also faces numerous challenges in overcoming buyers’ prejudices regarding range and reliability. From what’s been seen from the Leaf so far, however, the car is meeting those challenges and then some.

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