Nissan Leaf Acenta
Discussion
Greg - I don't do it all the time. But as for them being blissfully unaware, there's something about a last minute dart to sit in the lane alongside and then glaring (and in one case laughing) at me that makes me think they are very much aware.
They certainly are when I'm gone and they are still sat there. Point is that you don't need that kind of power takeoff very much but it's nice to have it - isn't that why people buy a Golf GTI when in the real world the 1.4 is perfectly quick enough?
They certainly are when I'm gone and they are still sat there. Point is that you don't need that kind of power takeoff very much but it's nice to have it - isn't that why people buy a Golf GTI when in the real world the 1.4 is perfectly quick enough?
A 25 minute stop at a motorway service station isn't that long once you have gone to the loo, had a coffee etc. but how far can you go between these stops? i.e. how many motorway miles can you do on an 80% charge?
When your car is plugged into a public charger, what is to stop Mr. Scrote Jr. unplugging the cable for you?
When your car is plugged into a public charger, what is to stop Mr. Scrote Jr. unplugging the cable for you?
I'm doing Teesside - Rotherham - Teesside in it on Saturday so we shall see how it gets on. Planned for a two stop race with three stop an option.....
As for security you physically cannot remove the lead whilst charging as its electrically locked into both the charger and the car. There is also a mechanical lock switch on the car so that it can't be removed until the car is unlocked. So Johnny Scrote (as encouraged by Jeremy Clarkson) is out of luck
As for security you physically cannot remove the lead whilst charging as its electrically locked into both the charger and the car. There is also a mechanical lock switch on the car so that it can't be removed until the car is unlocked. So Johnny Scrote (as encouraged by Jeremy Clarkson) is out of luck
RochdalePioneers said:
I'm doing Teesside - Rotherham - Teesside in it on Saturday so we shall see how it gets on. Planned for a two stop race with three stop an option.....
As for security you physically cannot remove the lead whilst charging as its electrically locked into both the charger and the car. There is also a mechanical lock switch on the car so that it can't be removed until the car is unlocked. So Johnny Scrote (as encouraged by Jeremy Clarkson) is out of luck
So for ~3 hours of journey you're going to have to stop for 50 minutes or more? To me, that makes it an unsuitable car still if you're doing those sorts of journeys frequently. It sounds like it has more than enough for around town and short trips though.As for security you physically cannot remove the lead whilst charging as its electrically locked into both the charger and the car. There is also a mechanical lock switch on the car so that it can't be removed until the car is unlocked. So Johnny Scrote (as encouraged by Jeremy Clarkson) is out of luck
Oh, yes, I forgot that he had mentioned that. It still all looks a bit vulnerable. No more vulnerable than your tyres/windows/paintwork on every other car, though, I suppose.
What's the list price / best lease deal of these?
Remember that the car wasn't bought for long distances, so I'm doing the run to see how it goes (and cos my wife is away for the weekend in the i30). But assuming 2 stops that's around 45 minutes added to the trip. And with a single charge at home before I set off its a cost of £2 in electricity vs £25 in petrol (12.5p per mile x 200). So, 45 minutes extra time, £23 saved, so an effective salary of £30.66 an hour.
Anyway, Nissan will loan you a car with a combustion engine for 14 days each year as part of Leaf ownership. You're guaranteed at least a Note or bigger, and it's free.
Anyway, Nissan will loan you a car with a combustion engine for 14 days each year as part of Leaf ownership. You're guaranteed at least a Note or bigger, and it's free.
And £2 to fill it up when you get back.
It seems like they are giving loads of incentives to people to buy these cars: free charging, loan cars etc. presumably this is because of all the downsides... not to mention being significantly more expensive than a petrol equivalent.
I'd be very interested to see your sums as to how it is saving you money. But you don't seem even to want to say how much the list price of your car was, so I doubt you'll indulge us.
It seems like they are giving loads of incentives to people to buy these cars: free charging, loan cars etc. presumably this is because of all the downsides... not to mention being significantly more expensive than a petrol equivalent.
I'd be very interested to see your sums as to how it is saving you money. But you don't seem even to want to say how much the list price of your car was, so I doubt you'll indulge us.
RochdalePioneers said:
Here in the north east its free to park at a public charger point (where its pay to park for other cars) and free to charge up
How do you know its free to park?, I'd heard that, but when Ive parked in the multi-storey at Sunderland and at the car park by the Fair at South Sheilds I couldn't see anything that said it was free for EV's, so both times I paid for parking anyway.Edited by Simoted on Wednesday 16th July 06:21
Great write up and nice to hear someone else having a good experience with a leaf too.
HWMBO was given the chance to have one as her company car in January, to replace a Volvo V60. she has an daily commute of around 45 miles, and it has been brilliant.
We too have taken advantage of the government backed scheme for the home charging point - the fitter said we were the first people to have an EV where he had fitted a charger.........unbelievable - and it's used primarily at the week end will give a full charge in around 4 hours, the rest of the time it is charged at her place of work with a fast charger.
It makes perfect since for us - running costs are almost zero, benefit in kind tax is nil, parking in newcastle is free - you pay for the charge, and generally near the exits of the car parks - perfect.
The max torque from zero does make me smile - and it does clip along quite nicely. Ride comfort is very good and complient and it is very relaxing to run around in.
friends and family have taken the p*ss for getting one but have been pleasantly surprised when they've had a go!
downsides, not many as the OP says the looks are marmite, and I don't like marmite, brakes take getting used to, as they seen to kick the battery regen in first, then take a shove to brake properly with no real "feel" to them. Range - limits the car to a 40ish mile journey each way without a charge. Mustn't forget the noise , or the lack of it, great for the people inside, not so great for pedestrians who can't hear you coming, can be a problem
Overall it's a great little car, I can and would thoroughly recommend the Leaf as a car to use around town, wouldn't be without it now.
If I sound like a convert I am, it's perfect for our needs and our lives today.
Except we need another car for longer journeys - that's where the M5 comes into its own.......
HWMBO was given the chance to have one as her company car in January, to replace a Volvo V60. she has an daily commute of around 45 miles, and it has been brilliant.
We too have taken advantage of the government backed scheme for the home charging point - the fitter said we were the first people to have an EV where he had fitted a charger.........unbelievable - and it's used primarily at the week end will give a full charge in around 4 hours, the rest of the time it is charged at her place of work with a fast charger.
It makes perfect since for us - running costs are almost zero, benefit in kind tax is nil, parking in newcastle is free - you pay for the charge, and generally near the exits of the car parks - perfect.
The max torque from zero does make me smile - and it does clip along quite nicely. Ride comfort is very good and complient and it is very relaxing to run around in.
friends and family have taken the p*ss for getting one but have been pleasantly surprised when they've had a go!
downsides, not many as the OP says the looks are marmite, and I don't like marmite, brakes take getting used to, as they seen to kick the battery regen in first, then take a shove to brake properly with no real "feel" to them. Range - limits the car to a 40ish mile journey each way without a charge. Mustn't forget the noise , or the lack of it, great for the people inside, not so great for pedestrians who can't hear you coming, can be a problem
Overall it's a great little car, I can and would thoroughly recommend the Leaf as a car to use around town, wouldn't be without it now.
If I sound like a convert I am, it's perfect for our needs and our lives today.
Except we need another car for longer journeys - that's where the M5 comes into its own.......
@simoted Chargers are free in Stockton (confirmed in writing) and I believe are free in other council areas as that was the agreement when they got the funding for a charging network. It won't stay free forever which doesn't bother us as we don't need to use them particularly.
@Disco You. You have a funny way of calculating running costs. It's pence per mile - yes I'd recharge it afterwards but that's electricity used on the next trip. Do you calculate petrol bills as petrol used in the trip PLUS petrol to refil the tank? No? Then why try and do that for the Leaf.
Which cost £14,140 as you asked before any deposits or payment or trade in were made by me. I'm sure that you are right and £14k is really expensive for a family hatch......
@Disco You. You have a funny way of calculating running costs. It's pence per mile - yes I'd recharge it afterwards but that's electricity used on the next trip. Do you calculate petrol bills as petrol used in the trip PLUS petrol to refil the tank? No? Then why try and do that for the Leaf.
Which cost £14,140 as you asked before any deposits or payment or trade in were made by me. I'm sure that you are right and £14k is really expensive for a family hatch......
Update 1:
Had an argument with a high kerb. The kerb decided it was higher than it looked, the Leaf decided it was lower than it looks? The result? A centimetre long chip in the very bottom of the bumper that you can only see if you get on your hands and knees, and the leading edge of the thin plastic undertray has went slightly away from the back of the bumper but is still securely bolted on
Reasonably condfident I can either glue the chip back down or sand and smooth it away. If I can be bothered at some point as you have to go looking for it
Had an argument with a high kerb. The kerb decided it was higher than it looked, the Leaf decided it was lower than it looks? The result? A centimetre long chip in the very bottom of the bumper that you can only see if you get on your hands and knees, and the leading edge of the thin plastic undertray has went slightly away from the back of the bumper but is still securely bolted on
Reasonably condfident I can either glue the chip back down or sand and smooth it away. If I can be bothered at some point as you have to go looking for it
Update two:
Had to drive to Rotherham and back (90 miles away) and my wife is away for the weekend in the petrol car, so off I go in the leaf. Plan was to charge fully at home, do 76 miles to Woolley Edge on the M1 (76 miles), then 66 miles to Rotherham then A630, A1(M) to Wetherby (66 miles) then home (46 miles) - 2 charges to 80%.
Which was fine on paper. My route south from Stockton is down the A19 with a hill climb then decent towards Thirsk, and at that point my range was still +21 miles over my distance to Woolley Edge despite it having started raining. Similar position as I passed Wetherby Services with its charger. Then the heavens really opened and traffic started bunching. With "heavy delays" on the M1 before Woolley Edge according to the matrix signs and my range looking tight, I decided to divert to IKEA at M62 J27. 6 miles shorter and on the flat, and arrived with 12% battery left having done 70 miles from home.
IKEA have two chargers in the lower level car park!
Charge to 80% took about 22 minutes, time for a wee, a drink and a hotdog. Back onto the M62 to rejoin my planned M1 south and more long queues - this time the amazing never before sight of a police car having pulled someone over. I'd decided that I should ditch the slow and infrequent charges plan and just go for it as the rain wasn't helping anyway. So instead of cruising at 60mph as I'd started the day I was cruising at 75mph instead. As I do in any car I'm feathering the throttle uphill, then a brief burst to speed up at the top then coast. For example on the long downhill on the M1 passing through J37 I've got my foot just hovering on the throttle to maintain momentum but its actually regenerating the battery.
Made my pick up in Rotherham and headed back, again going 70-75 indicated (which I know at real GPS speeds is about an 8% overread). Pulled into Woolley Edge northbound for a lunch stop, had Burger King and came out after 20 minutes of charge to find another Leaf sat waiting! We had a chat for a couple of minutes until mine hit 80% and stopped, and before I had a chance to pass the charger lead a third Leaf pulled up for an impromptu flashmob
Another short leg this time only as far as Wetherby. More tipping rain and hoofing dropped my battery to 44% by the time I stopped, but top up to 80% took just 12 minutes before the final leg home.
I know, a lot of stops. But it cost me the £2 to charge the car at home before I set off - all the other charges were free. Anyway, have learned the answer to slow vs fast in a Leaf - fast. And if that means more stops then so what - better to get a decent move on and have a 12 minute top off than go slow and end up stopping anyway. Would I rather have done this in a petrol car? Well it would have been quicker. But substantially more expensive with less sense of adventure....
Had to drive to Rotherham and back (90 miles away) and my wife is away for the weekend in the petrol car, so off I go in the leaf. Plan was to charge fully at home, do 76 miles to Woolley Edge on the M1 (76 miles), then 66 miles to Rotherham then A630, A1(M) to Wetherby (66 miles) then home (46 miles) - 2 charges to 80%.
Which was fine on paper. My route south from Stockton is down the A19 with a hill climb then decent towards Thirsk, and at that point my range was still +21 miles over my distance to Woolley Edge despite it having started raining. Similar position as I passed Wetherby Services with its charger. Then the heavens really opened and traffic started bunching. With "heavy delays" on the M1 before Woolley Edge according to the matrix signs and my range looking tight, I decided to divert to IKEA at M62 J27. 6 miles shorter and on the flat, and arrived with 12% battery left having done 70 miles from home.
IKEA have two chargers in the lower level car park!
Charge to 80% took about 22 minutes, time for a wee, a drink and a hotdog. Back onto the M62 to rejoin my planned M1 south and more long queues - this time the amazing never before sight of a police car having pulled someone over. I'd decided that I should ditch the slow and infrequent charges plan and just go for it as the rain wasn't helping anyway. So instead of cruising at 60mph as I'd started the day I was cruising at 75mph instead. As I do in any car I'm feathering the throttle uphill, then a brief burst to speed up at the top then coast. For example on the long downhill on the M1 passing through J37 I've got my foot just hovering on the throttle to maintain momentum but its actually regenerating the battery.
Made my pick up in Rotherham and headed back, again going 70-75 indicated (which I know at real GPS speeds is about an 8% overread). Pulled into Woolley Edge northbound for a lunch stop, had Burger King and came out after 20 minutes of charge to find another Leaf sat waiting! We had a chat for a couple of minutes until mine hit 80% and stopped, and before I had a chance to pass the charger lead a third Leaf pulled up for an impromptu flashmob
Another short leg this time only as far as Wetherby. More tipping rain and hoofing dropped my battery to 44% by the time I stopped, but top up to 80% took just 12 minutes before the final leg home.
I know, a lot of stops. But it cost me the £2 to charge the car at home before I set off - all the other charges were free. Anyway, have learned the answer to slow vs fast in a Leaf - fast. And if that means more stops then so what - better to get a decent move on and have a 12 minute top off than go slow and end up stopping anyway. Would I rather have done this in a petrol car? Well it would have been quicker. But substantially more expensive with less sense of adventure....
Great story! I've actually had one of these since yesterday and have been using it as much as possible. Fairly impressed really, takes ages to charge at home (though, not quite as long as it thinks its going to take)
Performance is funny, but have been using eco most of the time.
I had an indicated 101 yesterday, on the flat/uphill
Performance is funny, but have been using eco most of the time.
I had an indicated 101 yesterday, on the flat/uphill
Really good write up. I've already had the 7kw charger fitted and will be buying a Leaf. A second hand one with circa 6k miles can be had for a little over £10k and that is a bargain.
Did you know we have an EV forum here?
Did you know we have an EV forum here?
A few basic things I learned with today's trip:
1. Don't use cruise control. Like on an ICE car it tends to put more throttle on than needed on hills and that means worse economy. Some marques have better cruise circuitry than others, this one is not the best
2. Eco mode is fine on motorways (I have it off usually) as you don't need mega throttle inputs to cruise.
3. If you do need a prod, use kickdown. Have discovered a detent in the throttle pedal travel just like on an automatic - go through it whilst in Eco mode and it overrides and fgives you full power.
4. The speedometer lies. Comfortably under reads by 10mph, so 66mph indicated is 60mph actual.
1. Don't use cruise control. Like on an ICE car it tends to put more throttle on than needed on hills and that means worse economy. Some marques have better cruise circuitry than others, this one is not the best
2. Eco mode is fine on motorways (I have it off usually) as you don't need mega throttle inputs to cruise.
3. If you do need a prod, use kickdown. Have discovered a detent in the throttle pedal travel just like on an automatic - go through it whilst in Eco mode and it overrides and fgives you full power.
4. The speedometer lies. Comfortably under reads by 10mph, so 66mph indicated is 60mph actual.
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