Nissan e NV200 - Test Drive.
The Electric Highway
Norwegian's Would!
Robert Llewellyn's somewhat belated review of the 2nd generation Nissan Leaf. Now being built in Sunderland UK.
Since recording Nissan have passed the 100,000 global sales milestone. Feb 2014 |
London to Edinburgh
Only 3 years ago it took the BBC's Brian Milligan 4 days to drive an electric car from London to Edinburgh. This year Robert Llewellyn and David Peilow did it in 13 hours. Feb 2014
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A journey through Wales
Robert Llewellyn takes a zero carbon electric road trip through Wales in his Nissan Leaf. With hills, sheep, water, mountains, rain and sunshine. Total distance travelled 418 miles. Total CO2 output. 0.0g. Total fuel cost £0.00p. Feb 2014
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Nissan LEAF reaches 3,000th UK sale.
The landmark was reached in November and came as Nissan's second-generation LEAF secures more than 1,300 UK sales in the six months since its launch. Jan 2014
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FedEx Express, and Nissan are testing the e-NV200, a 100 % electric compact cargo vehicle, in Washington, D.C.
FedEx Express and Nissan have conducted similar tests with fleets in Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Jan 2014
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In March 2010 Nissan Motor Co Ltd, underlined its commitment to zero emission leadership by announcing that its Sunderland plant would also build the 'Leaf.'
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Robert Llewellyn, driving the Nissan Leaf just before it's UK release. Aug 2010
No sound on the video but some interesting images as well as some which are pretty naff!
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And after a year of driving the Nissan Leaf,
Grant Thomas said: "We have blown the estimates for our annual mileage and have covered 14,432 miles in the LEAF in a year. I've had over 25 cars over the years and nothing quite prepares you for the smile when you drive an EV (Electric Vehicle) for the first time. That grin is still there 1 year on.
Source: The Grant Thomas Blog.
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A 'normal' car is hopelessly inefficient at generating power. It wheezes and puffs and bangs to produce power and it's still not enough so a gearbox tries to scale it up and after all that showmanship only 20% of the fuel you put in makes the car move. The rest is wasted. An electric car simply has a battery, an inverter and a motor and 80% of that power goes instantly to the wheels as torque (or power). And there is nothing quite as satisfying as pulling up silently at a traffic lights next to some boy racer. Then leaving them standing as they struggle with gear changes, and their ego, the LEAF silently launches in a relentless surge off the line. With all it's eco credentials, it's something that was such a huge surprise. I'm not recommending that as a driving strategy but to every Top Gear spotty nosed teenager viewer who thinks you need many horses of power, don't forget its the torque that counts.
The LEAF is an utter joy to drive. It's smooth, quiet, refined and such an immensely relaxing drive. I use the steering wheel mounted digital cruise control the majority of the time and find the fact you can choose exactly let's say 32mph is such a nice touch, especially through speed controlled roadworks. Out of our 2 cars I choose to drive the LEAF. I wait for it to get home before running errands. And Jo has commented (out of my earshot!) what a great car and how simple it is to drive. It's when you get back in an old ICE (internal Combustion Engine) car that you realise how unrefined and dirty and noisy it is." Aug 2012 |