YouTube Video Up Of Nissan Leaf Drive

I posted the video up on January 3rd and here it is the 8th, and I have already gotten 170 views.

The video is of a test drive I took in the 2011 Nissan Leaf at the Nissan “Drive Electric Tour in Austin, Texas on December 18, 2010.

The first section of the event you are given a tour of the technology and benefits of driving all electric. Then a test drive though the mall parking lot, a short closed road coarse then a brief stint on the service road up to 50 mph.

My full post is here – http://promotemyev.com/2010/12/19/my-2011-nissan-leaf-100-electric-test-drive/

Enjoy

My 2011 Nissan LEAF – 100% Electric Test Drive – Part 2

This is a continuation of my trip to Austin Texas and get a “hands on” experience with the all electric Nissan Leaf. Part 1 link is here, it covers the introduction and explanation of the battery technology, charging and how friendly the car is to the environment.

After getting in line and waiting for the car you get to test drive, I struck up a conversation with a couple who mentioned that have put down their $99.00 holding reservation for the first group of 20,000 buyer in 2010. It was the first time the couple had seen the car in person, and they were very excited.

Sense I had Chevrolet Volt test drive experience they wanted to know what I thought. I said the two car may have come out at the same time and are competing for attention they are not alike at all. Two different philosophies, and ways of doing things. The Volt let’s you leave one foot in the oil barrel as a reserve, and gives you 350 mile range if you have to use it. There is still a tail pipe and gas motor maintenance.

The couples, wife said something interesting, “The Volt is just another hybrid.” Wow, The Nissan rep. that I talked to said, ” How does GM get away with claiming the Volt is an electric car, when the gas motor connects to the wheels. and it can still qualify for the $7,500.00 EV  tax credit.”

This strong attitude is what it take to be the electric car purist and stop automobile pollution at it core. What is your passions? What is important to you? Do you stick your head in the sand, and hope all your problems go way, or do you fight for what you think is right?

I think that couple is going to be very happy with their Leaf, and one car at a time will make a difference.

I know you have been patiently waiting for the test ride so let us open the driver’s side door and set down. Yes it is a 5 person car but the bench seat in the back would not be comfortable for 3 adults, no hump down the center like the Volt. Head room is open and roomy, but behind the back seat is smaller than the hatch area space in the Volt.

I saw a couple trying out the cars space for the baby seat, and it work well, but did not find the room they need for the stroller in the back. I do not think that the Leaf is smaller than a similar car in it’s class you will just need to check this as best you can, to fit your own family needs.

The appointments are modest, clean and modern. The cloth seats are very comfortable and supportive. FYI made out of partially recycled cloth.

Hold your foot on the brake and push the start button, that is located about where a key would normally go, and the car boots up. No, there is no engine idle noise, just the start up chimes.  I could get uses to that, nice.

The center stack has the touch screen that begins with navigation. The driver’s panel is not an LCD screen but a set of LCD read out gauges. My photo hides the ring of gauges above the wheel that contains the speedometer.

I did not set down in the car and know what to do. It is not designed unusual, but I see the need for an owners manual. The shifter is a slide pop button like the Toyota Prius, It is easy but it is different and I just think that a shifter should stay in drive when your in drive. Sorry, I am old fashion here.

There are buttons on the steering wheel, and the one on the top left side has the “e” logo, punch it, and the nav screen changes to show a circle of range the car can get you to. On the driver’s panel in the bottom right corner is the battery level of charge. Funny to me is a gas pump icon with a plug on it’s nozzle. The bar graph and the miles of range are easily read. This is a calculated number from the amounts you are using and how you are using them. If you turn off the AC or enter ECO mode the number goes up. If you do not wait to enter ECO mode, it extends the range by as much as 15 miles or more.

As I pulled out of the parking lot I tried to absorb all that was going on. Holiday traffic was bad, I was a little nervous and it was a very unfamiliar car. My first impression was just how smooth the accelerator was on roll out. The full tork power of the electric motor pushing the car is so easy for it.

We went to a small close coarse of cones and felt the handling. The weight of the batteries are all in the center bottom of the car, and it keep a nice hold of the road, with very little sway.

Then out of the mall parking lot and briefly out on the highway service road. My co-pilot said to some to a stop and do a hard acceleration, 0-60 in 10 sec, but it feels faster than that, because 0-30 is faster than most sport cars.

Did you like the car?
Yes I did! I like what it stands for. I do not think that I would have a problem with the range of a 100 miles, but it would not be as easy for a county dweller, as it would be for a suburb or city dweller.

One of my personal problems I have with the car is, I just do not like the way it looks. A electric car does not have to look out of place and not have great styling. I hope Nissan gives us lots of choices in all electric cars in the future, because I love what is underneath the hood.

I hope you all get to see the car in person and thank to Nissan for bringing it to the US!

Posted by: Ron G.

My 2011 Nissan LEAF – 100% Electric Test Drive

No Tail Pipe

This is Part 1 of 2 of  my opportunity to run down to Austin, and participate in the “drive electric tour” that is going around the county. It was a beautiful, brisk morning, and a great day to drive a zero emission car, and not spoil that big Texas blue sky.   

The event was held in the Domain Shopping mall in north Austin, near Macy’s. It was very well set up with large displays, and 5 all weather temporary glass tents, and 3 smaller covered areas. 14 car were bought with a variety of paint colors. It was also covered by a radio station.    

Most important member in the caravan was a large portable generating truck that provided the way to recharge the cars. It is sad that it had to run while the car drove past my video camera, because the Leafs made no sound as they drove out of the parking lot. Just the tires rolling on pavement, was what is stuck in my memory, about the day. I took a photo intentionally of the bottom of the LEAF not showing any tail pipe.    

Welcome Tent

Austin responded well on day 2 of the 3 day event. Houston, Texas is next on the tour. Nissan has a goal of getting 50,000 test driver’s covered by the end of the whole countrywide event. I think this is a very effective way to introduce the electric car to the gas driving public. We got to ask questions and mess with the navigation touch screen with a car that was not being used by drivers.    

Get registered, and let’s get started.

We were broken down into group of 10 and 2 groups would walk together with a presenter. Our guide was fun, friendly and enthusiastic, talking about the details of the car in 3 different tents. Each tent had posters and video screens that showed a short highlighted presentation point.    

– Tent 1

had a full size reveal of the battery pack. It is seal in a pan that is under the body of the car. It holds the cells that are passively temperature controlled, (no coolant lines). We learned about how to charge the leaf here as well. This is all about how fast you need to charge. A small water hose size, a main line or a fire hydrant size. 3 levels can be used to refill your Leaf, I use a water as an example to help visualize electricity going into the car.   No, it does not run on water! 

Charge ports

Level 1 uses 110 volts AC to trickle charge the batteries and with less going in, it takes longer, about 20 hours from a fully depleted state. This charger come with the car and does not require installing, just plugging in.   

Level 2 uses 220 volts AC to move the electron down a bigger pipe, and recharge in about 8 hours. this charger must be installed into your house wiring by a electrician. It can be mounted on a wall or on a post where you park.    

Both level 1 and 2 connect via the electric car standard plug (SAE J1772) that you will find at charging stations around the country.    

Level 3 uses 400+ volts DC that does not come standard on the car and is meant for long, infrequent charging on trips that would leap frog you from Nissan dealers that have the same charger.   Recharge time is around 30 minutes or less, but not recommended for daily use, because of the stress it puts on the batteries. 

More answers on the batteries.

Look over at Autoblog Green for a good post on the battery details. Nissan is in the process of building a battery plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, and providing 150,000 Leaf packs by 2012.

Let us say you did not drive, or charge your Leaf for one months. What would happen to the batteries?
Because of the way they are made, it would only lose 1% of the charge per month.

If I leave my Leaf plugged in, will it over charge and hurt the batteries?
No, the controller takes good care of them and it would not hurt them in any way.

How long do the batteries last and at the end do you throw them away?
It does depend how they are treated in their life, but they are warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Life expectancy is 8 to 10 years. The cells are 99% recyclable and will be.

Will I see my range change near the end of battery life.
Yes you will, about 80% of what you get from when it was new.

Why are you not selling the car in the northern states yet?
Because the “cold package” is still under development, which improves battery performance in cold temperatures, and adds some special features to the cabin comfort. Look for that in 2012-2013.

– Tent 2

had a video on the advantages of being a leaf owner and it’s impact you make to help the environment. The Leaf does not require an oil change, filter, plugs or wires for regular maintenance. And the car produces no co2 emissions. Plus gets a EPA rating of 99 MPGe.   

Connectivity is important to an electric car drive, Nissan uses CARWINGS, a 3g link from car to server to customer. So information about the state of charge and other features can be seen and controlled on your phone or private website.   

– Tent 3

The last section talked about range, and the worry of it, or try not too. The poster said ” Shatters Range Concerns”. Nissan know what they have to talk about, and what the customer must understand about their car.   

If you floor the accelerator, drive at highway speeds up hills and run you ac wide open you will not get 100 mile range. You didn’t get 35 MPG in your gas car doing that stuff either. What trip do you need to make? In our tour group, some of the drivers made long daily commutes, so the Leaf is not for them.

How come there is not enough batteries in the car for a 200 mile trip? Cost, weight, and math, the design and engineering fits the typical driver needs. Set you odometer and check it out yourself. Do you drive more than 80 miles a day?   

The Leaf tries to help you every step of the way. If you forget to plug the car in, it sends a reminder. If you want to have a little fun and do some hard accelerations, that OK, just know that it will take about 2 miles off the range, and on a low demand days, do it. If you have a hot drive day coming, cool the car down while your still connected to the charger. We will talk more in part 2 about driver information, and range control, it is all over the dash. You can even add 15 mile by just pushing a button.   

I ask the Leaf rep. what happens at the end of the depleted battery scenario?  

At 20 miles before the end of range the car starts the warnings, and at critical levels it goes into different eco modes. Just turning the car off and waiting a little while will bring back a few miles of range and help you get home. Road side assistance is standard for the first 3 years and some trucks are going to start putting chargers on board for just such an emergency.   

I was glad that no one was afraid to talk about it or dodge the question.   

We live with limits on every thing we own. Even millionaires, if their smart, save money. I pay for my forgetfulness of not plugging in the cell phone last night, and just do not talk on it as much the next day.   

I hope you have enjoyed the first part, hold tight, and part 2 will have us in the car for our drive.

PART 2 – http://promotemyev.com/2010/12/19/my-2011-nissan-leaf-100-electric-test-drive-part-2/

Posted by: Ron G.

Test Drive A 2011 100% Electric Nissan Leaf

Ever been behind the wheel of an all-electric car? Golf cart, may be or an electric basket at a store. How about one that you can go 90 mph and up to 100 miles without recharging on any road. Here is the point that gets a lot of people now, it is a zero tailpipe emissions/Zero Emissions Vehicle.

Just as the Chevrolet Volt did, Nissan is going around the country offering test drives to introduce the Leaf to the public in a “real hands on” way. Getting to see the cars makes a invaluable impression, before anyone can go to a showroom and kick the tires. The Nissan website shows that the tour has all ready pasted California, but many more cities are scheduled.

I picked Austin, and my drive confirmation is for December 18, 2010. There we will get a presentation and test drive, and a chance to enter to win a Leaf. I would have to sell my enthusiasm I have for the Volt, but I would get to drive pollution free! Contest rules are over at Nissan, but you must pre-qualify at one on the drives and answer a simple question. “Why do I deserve a Leaf?” It will be posted on video, and be voted on by the public. No hiding your a “Volt – trader” there. Just kidding, with both of these cars in the competitive market, we all win.

Sign up at the “drive electric tour”
https://drivenissanleaf.com/Event/

I be videoing and photographing all I can on December 18, and posting the experience soon after, stay tuned.

Here is more news about the Leaf…
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-neil20-2009nov20,0,5609464.column

Congratulations to the Nissan Leaf for reaching 20,000 reservations!

Posted by: Ron G.