First Drive – 2011 Nissan Leaf
Clean air concept hits the streets
Story and photos by Russell Purcell
Nissan heralds the Leaf as the world’s first, medium-size, affordable electric vehicle. It has been designed to be as practical and comfortable as possible, so that consumers will consider it as a viable alternative for their every day transportation needs. Pricing has not yet been established, but word is that Nissan plans to make it competitive with traditional gasoline-powered offerings in the same category, which should help it find appeal.
Clean Air
The Leaf’s powertrain utilizes a combination of a regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs to operate, and it’s charged by simply plugging it into a 220-volt home charging station that will be available from your dealer as an option. A fully depleted battery pack requires about eight hours to completely recharge. The Leaf will be fitted with a charging cord which features a universal plug, meaning that the manufacturers of plug-in electric vehicles have agreed on a standard design so that their products will be able to recharge at public charging stations.
As the car is fully electric, there is no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases, so there is no need for a tail pipe. The Leaf name was chosen to reflect the car’s clean air concept, as leaves help filter the air in nature.
Added bonus
Electric vehicles offer the added benefit of being less mechanically complex than a traditional automobile. This means that there are fewer parts to service and hopefully, less chance for things to go wrong. This translates into a further reduction in operating costs as well.
Operating Range
The Leaf represents a great alternative to a traditional vehicle powered by an internal-combustion engine, and with a range of 160 kilometres on a full charge – a little less in cold weather – it should prove popular with urban users and short range commuters.
Styling
The car on display was just a roller, but it looked ready for production, which is good news for Nissan, as the car will be available is select U.S. markets for 2010, fully a year before its launch in Canada. Why the early introduction down south, you ask? Word is that the necessary infrastructure and regulatory paper work is further along in places like California, allowing for a limited launch.
The Leaf is immediately recognizable as a Nissan product, with an aerodynamically slippery exterior shape designed to cheat the wind as well as maximize its interior space. I have no doubt that the Leaf’s design hints at what the next generation Versa may look like when it hits showrooms.
The Leaf’s nose features a small access door to get to the charging apparatus, which is framed by ultra-efficient LED headlights. The rear is dominated by a large hatch and tall LED tail lamps. The rear fenders are quite wide and give the car a very stable, wide-stance look, and the bumper shroud protrudes further rearward than that of the current Versa.
Interior Space
Unfortunately, journalists were not allowed to try the car on for size, but judging from its relatively long wheelbase and airy cabin, it should provide ample space for five average sized adults. The cargo area was substantial for a car this size and the hatchback design facilitates loading.
Design
The dash layout features a two-level, stacked design for the various operating gauges, with an easy-to-read digital speedometer up top. The centre stack incorporates a multi-function display screen to handle control of HVAC duties, navigation, various equipment settings, audio, and system status information. A “remote control” function allows smart phone users to operate various HVAC functions remotely, as well as monitor the car’s charging progress via email or text messages.
The Leaf employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected to a global data centre, the system can provide support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day. The dash-mounted monitor displays the Leaf’s remaining power – or “reachable area” – in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging stations.
Gear selection is made via a small joystick-like controller on the centre console.
The Driving Experience
Nissan had a Versa-based EV-12 equipped with the Leaf’s electric drive train and running gear for us to pilot on a short demonstration course. Like all electric cars, the driving experience is serene, as the only noise comes from rolling tires and the loose change in the ashtray when you step on the accelerator (torque is instantaneous at 0 rpm). There is no exhaust note, as there is no exhaust system on the car. Nissan will engineer a sound into the car for safety purposes when it goes into production, so pedestrians are made aware of the vehicle’s presence.
The Leaf’s laminated compact lithium-ion batteries generate over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm. Acceleration is strong and handling responsive, and the car can handle speeds up to 140 km/h (90 mph). Other than the vehicle’s absence of noise, the actual driving experience is similar to that of a traditional, gasoline-powered automobile.
The next step for Nissan is to enter agreements with communities, industry and government (at all levels) to ensure that charging stations are readily accessible for consumers to top-off their batteries throughout the day. The Renault–Nissan Alliance, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and BC Hydro recently announced a partnership that will see British Columbia become the initial launch point for Nissan’s Canadian zero-emission transportation program.
As British Columbia is scheduled to be the first Canadian province to receive the Nissan Leaf, beginning in 2011, Vancouver city planners have already set regulations for builders and developers which will see universal charging stations become integral to new commercial and residential projects.[PSGallery=1femijtjtx]
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