May 14, 2012 23:03
I had the pleasure of test driving the Nissan Leaf for two weeks. I used the car primarily for commuting back and forth from work – though I did also use it for running errands, and visiting friends. The leaf’s torque was beyond my expectations. I found the car’s acceleration to be comparable, if not better, than your average economy gasoline-powered vehicle (though I desire a car with more power than your average economy car). I did not find it a hassle at all to plug it in while parked. However, I did mind how quickly the battery would drain while driving, particularly at highway speeds. I found myself constantly stressing about not making it to my destination. I did plug it in while at a friend’s house.
All the bells and whistles in the interior were great, especially the heated seats and steering wheel. I do not find the car very appealing from the exterior. The headlights on the leaf are hideous. I would consider switching my primary car to an electric one if:
- More battery capacity and improved battery consumption at highway speeds
- Car looked nice from the outside
- More charging stations available
In short, there are some steppingstones required before I would consider driving an electrical vehicle as my primary. I would also pay the extra dollar for a sport edition that delivered more torque.
-Eric
Wilson's Fuels
