Leaf 7 Day Test Drive - Questions.

Leaf 7 Day Test Drive - Questions.

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Discussion

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I've booked mine for 13th December but have a few questions and also maybe issues which are maybe typical for some owners.

1. Commute is 120 miles so need to charge during day.

2. Work will not let me charge there during the day. Car parking is limited and Office manager isn't keen having an extension lead plugged into the office supply. Its due a test in 6 months, tested every 3 years.

3. Nearest charge point is at Sheffield Utd ground. Left messagee for Contact on Zap Map. Says charge point is a 43KW 63A 3 phase AC with Type 2 Mennekes connector . Is this ok to charge a Leaf and how long? Also there may be a parking charge.

4. Dealer has charging point but limited access so would have to go there in lunchtime and do 30 mins charge if I can.

5. Various charging points on way home (some with small detours) but will need to apply for Ecotricity card if want a rapid charge. Left message at dealers so can supply reg. number for card.

6. I was planning on a trip to IKEA Nottingham which is approx. 60 miles and charge there so will need Ecotricity card. Lets hope it arrives in time :-)

Thanks for reading.

HTP99

22,441 posts

139 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I would be questioning whether a Leaf is for you to be honest.

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Sounds like the constant range anxiety will knock years off your life expectancy.

Sounds like a right hassle.

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
It does sound like I'm doing nothing but stress about it doesn't it? :-)

Its not quite as bad as that.

The only real issue is charging while I am at work.
If the nearest charging point (which is next to where I park on the road each day anyway) isn't too expensive to use (ie. parking charge) and its suitable for charging a Leaf then its happy days. Fully charged range should be fine.

Once I get the Ecotricity card then fast charging at service stations, IKEA etc.. will be quick and free.

HTP99

22,441 posts

139 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
60 miles to work, if there is an accident and then a diversion you could well be screwed as realistically Leafs do about 70-75 miles on a full charge, factor in the cold mornings and dark cold nights and you arse could well be doing 50p-20p on the way to and from work every day, on a normal accident free run.

DSLiverpool

14,670 posts

201 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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An Ampera would be better for you surely

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Looking at the Leaf website minimum range at -10c with heating on is 75 miles so I should be ok(?)
Have about 3 routes I can take to work (South Lincs to Sheffield) which vary from 60 - 65 miles but as ytou say it may get squeeky bum at times.

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Just Googled the Ampera, Seen a few of these never realised they were electric/hybrid.
But expensive, £17k min secondhand too much.

Ej74

1,038 posts

184 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Read my thread over in this section

The range with my heavy foot was non-existent fantasy at best !

Dealer avoid and fob me off and didn't provide the charging card - the range and associated anxiety put me off (as well as having an indicated range of 77 miles and then running out of juice on my driveway after a 25 mile journey only)

V3 Leaf is expected to have a long range

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Ej74 said:
Read my thread over in this section

The range with my heavy foot was non-existent fantasy at best !

Dealer avoid and fob me off and didn't provide the charging card - the range and associated anxiety put me off (as well as having an indicated range of 77 miles and then running out of juice on my driveway after a 25 mile journey only)

V3 Leaf is expected to have a long range
Cheers Ej74.

Friend had one for a week and was really impressed but he was ok charging it at home and then at work. Think his max. commute is about 50 miles.

Ej74

1,038 posts

184 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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The acceleration up to 40/ 50 is fantastic

The car does feel heavy and suffer from body roll

The brakes were very on and off for me - low speed stopping was quite abrupt

Interior and room was good - high seating position

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Still waiting for dealer to ring me back re. the Ecotricity card.

May have to give them another ring in the morning.

johnnyreggae

2,930 posts

159 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I've just been looking into this as I fancied a free car for a week (!) but based on various Googled user threads the average range in cold weather without using the heating or lights seems to be 60 miles - its then very slow to recharge - maybe 8-12 hours

Twice a week I have to do a 60 mile return journey - even if there were charging at the halfway point I might not get home - or have recharged enough to do it again the next day - that is no way to live so I'm going to pass

If any other manufacturer would like me to try this journey for a week do get in touch !

As someone else has noted maybe this is not the car for you

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
johnnyreggae said:
I've just been looking into this as I fancied a free car for a week (!) but based on various Googled user threads the average range in cold weather without using the heating or lights seems to be 60 miles - its then very slow to recharge - maybe 8-12 hours

Twice a week I have to do a 60 mile return journey - even if there were charging at the halfway point I might not get home - or have recharged enough to do it again the next day - that is no way to live so I'm going to pass

If any other manufacturer would like me to try this journey for a week do get in touch !

As someone else has noted maybe this is not the car for you
I'm coming to that conclusion.
60 miles will barely get me one way!
First part of journey will be ok, A roads fairly slow average speeds
Middle is the A1 which you need to do 60+ Not to get mixed up with the trucks
Last part slow A roads and hilly city driving which is he worse type of conditions for an EV.
I'm going to look at driving 40 miles, leave at free charge point for the day if possible and then getting the train for the rest of the journey.
I do this maybe once a week anyway. Takes a little longer door to door but avoids the stress of driving into Sheffield and trying to find a free parking space.
Cost is about the same but of course not as cheap as using the Leaf.

Wish the Ampera was cheaper :-)

c2mike

419 posts

148 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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If you plan to do trips longer than 50 miles regularly, make sure you get a Leaf with a heat pump (Acenta or Tekna). It will make a big difference to the range in Winter. Also the Tekna has heated front seats and steering wheel (much lower power drain than the cabin heater).

If you need to regularly rely on re-charging en-route, best option is a 50kW DC fast charge - E.g. from Ecotricity.
Downsides are that they may not be free forever and the charging rate slows after 80% charge - so it is best for adding another ~40 miles range.
AC charging on the Leaf is a lot slower. 3.3kW is standard, 6.6kW is optional. If you really need fast AC charging, get a Zoe.

Terminator X

14,920 posts

203 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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No need to thank me.

TX.

hab1966

1,094 posts

211 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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c2mike said:
If you need to regularly rely on re-charging en-route, best option is a 50kW DC fast charge - E.g. from Ecotricity.
Downsides are that they may not be free forever and the charging rate slows after 80% charge - so it is best for adding another ~40 miles range.
AC charging on the Leaf is a lot slower. 3.3kW is standard, 6.6kW is optional. If you really need fast AC charging, get a Zoe.
Are the Ecotricity chargers not free for Nissan (leaf) owners forever? The ones I have seen carry Nissan logos, so i presume Nissan have a stake.

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
c2mike said:
If you plan to do trips longer than 50 miles regularly, make sure you get a Leaf with a heat pump (Acenta or Tekna). It will make a big difference to the range in Winter. Also the Tekna has heated front seats and steering wheel (much lower power drain than the cabin heater).

If you need to regularly rely on re-charging en-route, best option is a 50kW DC fast charge - E.g. from Ecotricity.
Downsides are that they may not be free forever and the charging rate slows after 80% charge - so it is best for adding another ~40 miles range.
AC charging on the Leaf is a lot slower. 3.3kW is standard, 6.6kW is optional. If you really need fast AC charging, get a Zoe.
Not sure which version I will get on the Test Drive. Friend got the Tekna version from the same dealer. I have to speak to them re. Ecotricity card so will ask then.
Hopefully the rapid charge will be free at least to the end of my test drive period :-)

TX - Thanks :-)

Amateurish

7,696 posts

221 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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I don't think the Leaf would work for you. A 60 mile commute is just too far. In the cold weather, your Leaf's range will be about 60 miles. Add in a delay or a diversion and you just won't make it. The fact that you can't charge at work just makes it even less practical.

My i3 has a very similar range to the Leaf, and I have a 60 mile commute. Yesterday, I had a delay and a small diversion. When you are sat in the car in a traffic jam in the cold, you are just eating range. Anyway, my battery ran out about 10 miles from home. Luckily, I had the Rex to finish the journey.

GreatGranny

Original Poster:

9,097 posts

225 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Amateurish said:
I don't think the Leaf would work for you. A 60 mile commute is just too far. In the cold weather, your Leaf's range will be about 60 miles. Add in a delay or a diversion and you just won't make it. The fact that you can't charge at work just makes it even less practical.

My i3 has a very similar range to the Leaf, and I have a 60 mile commute. Yesterday, I had a delay and a small diversion. When you are sat in the car in a traffic jam in the cold, you are just eating range. Anyway, my battery ran out about 10 miles from home. Luckily, I had the Rex to finish the journey.
In hindsight would you have still bought the I3?

Any other similar sized electric cars that can realistically do 80 miles on one charge on a cold day?