Currently the best-selling EV in Europe, the Nissan Leaf has been part of the UK motoring scene since 2011. In typical EV style, it was an unusual looking machine, with an organic wave-form on its flanks, a pugnacious nose and a fat bottom. For the eco-conscious, it was a dream turned reality but suffered from early battery capacity problems, which meant that its nominal range was comfortably less than 90-miles. Yet, it did not stop a rash of potential customers from hopping on-board.
The latest version, which I tested recently, is markedly more normal in appearance, although it still possesses enough visual clues to its ‘zero emissions’ status. Fortunately, it also reflects the tremendous technological in-roads that have been made in the past eight years, not just in driver safety but also with convenience and operational benefits.
In Tekna trim, which is the top specification, its 40kWh Lithium-ion battery pack delivers a strong performance envelope, despatching the 0-60mph benchmark in an excellent 7.6s, running out of ‘steam’ at a restricted 89mph. Interestingly, the Leaf is the only volume-produced EV in the UK, with almost 90% of its total production being exported from the company’s Sunderland factory. Its proposed driving range is posted at 235-miles, although around 200-miles can be anticipated safely from its efficient drive-train, which can be fast recharged (80%) in around 40 minutes, or overnight trickle-charged from a 7kW wall-box (100% capacity) in around seven hours.
Helping to regenerate electricity on-the-move, the Leaf features the intriguing and revolutionary e-Pedal technology that transforms the way people drive, by enabling acceleration, deceleration and full stop with the simple increase, or decrease, of the driver’s foot pressure applied on the accelerator. When releasing the accelerator, the car will decelerate and come to a complete stop, even hill holding, without the need to press the brake pedal (it is also reverse-energising the battery). With a deceleration rate of up to 0.2G, the e-Pedal eliminates the need for drivers to move their foot constantly from the accelerator to the brake pedal, when reducing speed, or even stopping. While it can take a little time to become familiar with it, the e-Pedal helps reduce fatigue and stress in daily city driving and allows the driver to use the brake pedal up to 90% less than in conventional motorcars.
The new Leaf also features ProPilot, which is a distance cruise control that works semi-autonomously, requiring only limited driver input, even in heavily trafficked conditions. It is supported by Pro-PilotPark, which is a ‘hands-and-feet-off’ automated parallel, or forwards/backwards bay parking assist system. Naturally, Leaf is a model packed with both driver aids and safety programs, as well as an around-car monitoring system. Prices start at a reasonable (pre-discount) £26,690, rising to £29,890 across three trim levels.
