For those of us in the thick of the next generation transportation movement, the Nissan LEAF is one hell of an important vehicle.
Along with the Chevy Volt, and, to a lesser extent, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, it is one of the very few cars that can lay claim to being the first mass market EV for the globe. On top of that — with a price after federal tax credits of about $25,000 — the LEAF has the distinction of being the first affordable EV in that category as well.
So, a couple weeks ago, when I was approached by Nissan and asked if I wanted to come to Japan and be one of the first five non-Nissan employees in the world to drive a pre-production LEAF on Nissan’s test track in Yokohama, I was honored to accept. Along with a few industry analysts and EV advocates, I’ll be the only writer/blogger on hand at the event. I know, holy crap, right? I have no words to describe my excitement.
I’ll be in Japan all week and, along with the LEAF test drive I’ll have a chance to chat over lunch with Nissan’s CEO, talk with Nissan designers about the future of Nissan EV designs, and I’ll be getting a tour of Nissan’s historical vehicle archive museum. I’m also going to pig out on sushi… oh, sweet sushi, how I do love you.
So, check back here next week for exclusive pics, video and lots of coverage of this important event. You won’t want to miss it. I’ll also be covering the event for PlugInCars.com, and I promise, I’ll try not to let the jet lag show.
If you have any issues you want me to ask about or anything you want me to look for during my test drive, please let me know in the comments. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to get answers, but I can sure try.
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Nick, congrats on the scoop! I am looking forward to your updates next week!
Nick, congrats on the scoop! I am looking forward to your updates next week!
Well, I think we’re all dying to know more about range.
I have a feeling that the digital display may not be fully-functional. But at the end of you drive, if it shows you with any accuracy how many miles have been driven and how much range is left on the charge, I’m sure those are figured we’d all be interested in hearing!
Well, I think we’re all dying to know more about range.
I have a feeling that the digital display may not be fully-functional. But at the end of you drive, if it shows you with any accuracy how many miles have been driven and how much range is left on the charge, I’m sure those are figured we’d all be interested in hearing!
Obscure questions for you to ask Nissan:
1) Can the Leaf’s sounds (such as startup or low speed) be changed by a user download?
2) Will the Leafs software be upgradeable to keep it up with latter EV models?
3) Will there be custom APIs that a developer can use to set up other iPhone related apps to interact with the Leaf?
4) Are there best and worst mileage stats concerning the Leaf’s range (if you hyper-milage it, or run with everything on at freeway speeds, besides LV04)?
5) Besides, mileage left display, is there a realtime charge usage rate display in KWH/mile or Km?
Obscure questions for you to ask Nissan:
1) Can the Leaf’s sounds (such as startup or low speed) be changed by a user download?
2) Will the Leafs software be upgradeable to keep it up with latter EV models?
3) Will there be custom APIs that a developer can use to set up other iPhone related apps to interact with the Leaf?
4) Are there best and worst mileage stats concerning the Leaf’s range (if you hyper-milage it, or run with everything on at freeway speeds, besides LV04)?
5) Besides, mileage left display, is there a realtime charge usage rate display in KWH/mile or Km?
Nick,
Nice gig for you, getting to test drive in Japan. Hope you can drive it on a street, instead of a track. Also, I’m curious about how well the motor & battery will be insulated against strong EM fields and more extreme events like lightning strikes. This might sound esoteric, but I’d feel better knowing Nissan has at least thought of these problems too…especially since I plan on buying one of these as soon as possible.
Nick,
Nice gig for you, getting to test drive in Japan. Hope you can drive it on a street, instead of a track. Also, I’m curious about how well the motor & battery will be insulated against strong EM fields and more extreme events like lightning strikes. This might sound esoteric, but I’d feel better knowing Nissan has at least thought of these problems too…especially since I plan on buying one of these as soon as possible.
will a 6’3″ person fit in the driver’s seat?
will a 6’3″ person fit in the driver’s seat?
I’m interested in the regenerative braking system. Specifically, how does it compare to driving a manual transmission? Will the amount of regenerative braking be user-selectable?
Thanks! Have fun!
Way cool! I’m an early adopter and I’ve plunked down my $99 on April 21st. I look forward to good reading. See if I can get my red Leaf SL with chrome wheels…
I’m interested in the regenerative braking system. Specifically, how does it compare to driving a manual transmission? Will the amount of regenerative braking be user-selectable?
Thanks! Have fun!
Way cool! I’m an early adopter and I’ve plunked down my $99 on April 21st. I look forward to good reading. See if I can get my red Leaf SL with chrome wheels…
All,
Thanks! I’ll get a list going with questions and see how much of it I can get to.
Of course, teasing out range is one of my top priorities, but I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to tease. I’ll get you all whatever I can.
Also, I’m only 5’8″ myself, but I’ll check for overhead clearance and maybe even take a measurement from the top of the driver’s seat to the roof with the seat down as far as it can go.
In terms of car sounds, I’ll be sure to record the sounds and post them, but user-downloadable “ringtones” are highly unlikely at this point, given the pending legislation in congress to standardize the sounds and the major Blind Associations’ tough opposition to the concept.
As for EMR shielding, you’re the second person to ask me Carbon, so I’ll be sure to ask.
All,
Thanks! I’ll get a list going with questions and see how much of it I can get to.
Of course, teasing out range is one of my top priorities, but I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to tease. I’ll get you all whatever I can.
Also, I’m only 5’8″ myself, but I’ll check for overhead clearance and maybe even take a measurement from the top of the driver’s seat to the roof with the seat down as far as it can go.
In terms of car sounds, I’ll be sure to record the sounds and post them, but user-downloadable “ringtones” are highly unlikely at this point, given the pending legislation in congress to standardize the sounds and the major Blind Associations’ tough opposition to the concept.
As for EMR shielding, you’re the second person to ask me Carbon, so I’ll be sure to ask.
Things that I’d love to know
1) Will the batteries be upgradeable. After 5 years if the same cell space holds 50KW instead of the current 24 can I swap out my batteries?
2) If I leave my car at the airport at Xmas for a week when it’s 10F outside, will it start when I came back?
3) Will the solar cells on the premium package be useful for anything other than active driving AC/Light assist?
4) How quick is the expected transition from the first line markets to the rest of the country?
5) We’ll probably know more on June 30th but Nissan seems to be pushing early install of their charger before you even know when you might get the car, what’s up with that?
Have a good time, it’s an awesome opportunity!
Things that I’d love to know
1) Will the batteries be upgradeable. After 5 years if the same cell space holds 50KW instead of the current 24 can I swap out my batteries?
2) If I leave my car at the airport at Xmas for a week when it’s 10F outside, will it start when I came back?
3) Will the solar cells on the premium package be useful for anything other than active driving AC/Light assist?
4) How quick is the expected transition from the first line markets to the rest of the country?
5) We’ll probably know more on June 30th but Nissan seems to be pushing early install of their charger before you even know when you might get the car, what’s up with that?
Have a good time, it’s an awesome opportunity!
Repeating what has already been stated, any indications of what the real world range might be would be interesting. Will that range be reduced by 20% in 5 years? In 10 years? SWAG? In a way, the 10 year range might not matter, batteries will be so much better and cheaper in 7 or 8 years that it really won’t cost much to buy an after market battery pack in 2018 to replace an old Leaf pack.
But the the fit and finish standards will be interesting to note as well. Being a Nissan I imagine they will be good, being a trendsetting car that will introduce a lot of people to Nissan, they might be better than good. I am 6’4″, so a measure of the headroom would be cool. Any opinions on how many will be available to be sold in the US in 2011?
Repeating what has already been stated, any indications of what the real world range might be would be interesting. Will that range be reduced by 20% in 5 years? In 10 years? SWAG? In a way, the 10 year range might not matter, batteries will be so much better and cheaper in 7 or 8 years that it really won’t cost much to buy an after market battery pack in 2018 to replace an old Leaf pack.
But the the fit and finish standards will be interesting to note as well. Being a Nissan I imagine they will be good, being a trendsetting car that will introduce a lot of people to Nissan, they might be better than good. I am 6’4″, so a measure of the headroom would be cool. Any opinions on how many will be available to be sold in the US in 2011?
Awesome Nick! Range is an obvious question in peoples mind, but can you also find out:
1) Is it really a 5 seater? Can I put an infant car seat in the back seat and seat 2 more people?
2) What about cargo space? Can it comfortably fit a stroller and some grocery bags?
Thanks a lot and looking forward to your report!
Awesome Nick! Range is an obvious question in peoples mind, but can you also find out:
1) Is it really a 5 seater? Can I put an infant car seat in the back seat and seat 2 more people?
2) What about cargo space? Can it comfortably fit a stroller and some grocery bags?
Thanks a lot and looking forward to your report!
1) What guarantee does a person with a reservation have to buying a Leaf at the stated $32,000/$25,000 stated price?
2) Can they go to any dealer? What if all of the Leafs run out at a particular dealership? Or how will people with the reservations obtain a Leaf and with what certainty or guarantee?
1) What guarantee does a person with a reservation have to buying a Leaf at the stated $32,000/$25,000 stated price?
2) Can they go to any dealer? What if all of the Leafs run out at a particular dealership? Or how will people with the reservations obtain a Leaf and with what certainty or guarantee?
1. What is the weight of the car ?
2. What is the combined range (not just city) ?
3. What is the full capacity of the battery and how much is used ?
4. How will the order priority be decided ?
5. Can we test drive before firming the order ?
6. How many cars will be delivered in 2010 calendar year ? How many in each rollout area ?
1. What is the weight of the car ?
2. What is the combined range (not just city) ?
3. What is the full capacity of the battery and how much is used ?
4. How will the order priority be decided ?
5. Can we test drive before firming the order ?
6. How many cars will be delivered in 2010 calendar year ? How many in each rollout area ?
This is awesome! I work for Auto Shipping Network and I can’t wait for the first person who wants to have this car shipped. I love getting to see all the new cars coming out.
This is awesome! I work for Auto Shipping Network and I can’t wait for the first person who wants to have this car shipped. I love getting to see all the new cars coming out.
What is the lowest power (volts and amps) that the JERI (DC) connector take…and charge the car? For instance, Can I plumb a 350VDC 20A feed off of a solar array and charge the car?
Lucky bastard! (with all due respect!)
What is the lowest power (volts and amps) that the JERI (DC) connector take…and charge the car? For instance, Can I plumb a 350VDC 20A feed off of a solar array and charge the car?
Lucky bastard! (with all due respect!)
Congratulations on being chosen for this and kudos to Nissan for recognising your important voice in this space.
I would like to know if the battery can be purchased or whether it must be leased.
Congratulations on being chosen for this and kudos to Nissan for recognising your important voice in this space.
I would like to know if the battery can be purchased or whether it must be leased.
Congratulations, Nick. Your hard work is paying off. Matter Network awaits your reviews with bated breath.
Congratulations, Nick. Your hard work is paying off. Matter Network awaits your reviews with bated breath.
Go get ‘em, Nick! Don’t forget your cigars and to call their wives whores! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Go get ‘em, Nick! Don’t forget your cigars and to call their wives whores! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Here’s a preview of your ride…
Here’s a preview of your ride…
Please find out what “pre-production” means. That is, what might change between now and December?
Please find out what “pre-production” means. That is, what might change between now and December?