Nissan tells us that the future of driving is coming to a dealer near you this month. The Nissan Leaf is a new electric car which the Japanese maker says is the world’s first affordable, mass produced zero-emission car.
The Leaf runs on 100 per cent electricity, so there is no oil, no petrol tank, no transmission, and no exhaust pipe. Electricity, combined with regeneration from braking, are the only energy sources. And while most electricity is not made cheaply here today, that is changing. Within a few years, thanks mainly to the growth in wind power, it will become a much more ecologically friendly energy source.
Having driven a pre-production version of the Leaf, I can confirm that it offers the accommodation and styling appeal of a regular new small/medium family car. And it performs from a standing start better than practically all of them.
Based on a level of 19,000km per annum, projected average annual running costs for the Leaf are expected to be approximately €232, which is less than €20 per month. The retail price in Ireland will be €29,995 ex-works, which is after the €5,000 Government incentive is deducted. It will arrive in February 2011.
An electric car must tick four boxes if it is to succeed. Firstly, it must be a real car in the way it looks, accommodates people and luggage, functions, and performs. Secondly, it must be affordable. I believe the new Nissan Leaf meets and exceed these requirements.
The third factor relating to an all-electric car is range. While widespread European surveys show that up to 87 per cent of urban drivers do not exceed 60km per day, one does not wish to be having any anxiety issues over the range of your new car. Sure the home charge will be sufficient for the need of most urban dwellers. However, with a promised range of 160km, the charging infrastructure will be a key factor to success. This is largely down to the ESB.
ESB has committed to install home charging points free of charge to the first 2,000 electric vehicle customers. They are also developing 'quick charge points' around the country, including Galway city and the new motorway services at Enfield. This will take about 20 minutes, while you have a coffee.
While the infrastructure is down to the ESB, and I believe they will deliver, remember your maximum range is also influenced by the speed you are doing, the nature of stop-start or cruising traffic movement, and the use of air conditioning and heaters, which use battery power. So, in summary: If the infrastructure is in place and you plan your longer trips, this box can also be ticked.
The fourth and final key point is residual value. This cannot be determined with any great certainty. However, in its favour is that maintenance costs on the Leaf will be lower than conventional cars as there are fewer moving parts. Running cost are also lower and the EV sector will grow in popularity as time goes on. Battery life is expected to be about the life of the car.
The Nissan Leaf is a five-passenger family car that will come equipped with features such as air conditioning, satellite navigation, a parking camera, a quick charge socket. and innovative smart-phone connectivity.
Currently the Leaf falls into the lowest bracket for road tax at €104. Potential for €0 road tax is also being examined as a further Government incentive
The world’s first mass produced electric car can be seen at Windsor Motors, which operates eight Nissan dealerships at Airside, Belgard, Bray, Cork, Deansgrange, Galway, Liffey Valley, and Raheny.
• Following its official launch, the car will then embark upon a tour of the country during August and will be on display at various venues around the country including the Headford Road Shopping Centre, Galway on Sunday August 15
