With a range of more than 240 kilometres, more power and a better-looking body, the 2018 Nissan Leaf all-electric car is on the road to becoming mainstream. Since 2011, Nissan has sold more than 5,400 Leafs in sa国际传媒 and in excess of 283,000 around the world.
More and more, drivers are looking at alternatives to rising gas prices 鈥� and their best bet is electricity.
But range anxiety was (and is) a main stumbling block. With a range of about 100 kilometres on early models, most people found they couldn鈥檛 use an EV (electric vehicle) for more than daily commutes and in-town shopping trips. A longer trip would be possible, but one would have to plan a route with available chargers along the way.
When the first-generation Leaf appeared in 2011, it had a 24 kWh battery, with a 117-km driving range. Later Leafs could be found with a larger, 30 kWh battery, allowing the car to go about 170聽kilometres between charges.
For 2018, Nissan has upped the underfloor battery鈥檚 capacity to 40聽kWh (by using more energy-dense cells), boosting the range to 242 kilometres.
If that is still not enough, Nissan already has plans for a model this year with a 60-kWh pack and a 320-km range.
The Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla 3 already boast 300-plus kilometres of driving 鈥� but at a higher cost.
At a starting price of $35,998 (before provincial incentives), the Leaf, more than $8,000 cheaper than a Bolt, might be the better buy. I drove the Leaf SL, the top-of-the-line model.
What was overshadowed by all the excitement over the car鈥檚 range was a substantial boost in the car鈥檚 power. Horsepower is up 40, to 147, with torque now at 236, up 49.
To say the Leaf has oomph is an understatement 鈥� it feels more lively and eager.
The new Leaf rides on the same platform as before. But improvements to the car鈥檚 structure, to meet more stringent crash requirements, mean the Leaf has put on a few extra kilograms. Nissan鈥檚 engineers took the opportunity to revise the suspension 鈥� with pleasant results.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Compact five-door hatchback, front engine, front-wheel drive
Engine: Electric motor, 147 hp, 236 lb.-ft. of torque
Transmission: One speed
Battery: 40 kWh lithium-ion
On-board charger: 6.6 kWh
Range: 242 km
Recharge time (Level II): 7 hours
Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,480; width, 1,790; height, 1,565; wheelbase, 2,700
Curb weight (kg): 1,592
Price (base/as tested) SL model: $41,998/ $38,998 (includes $1,990 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax, less $5,000 provincial EV incentive)
Options: Nil
Tires: 215/50 R 17 on alloy wheels
Fuel type: Electricity
Fuel economy: (as expressed in litres equivalency) Le/100km: 1.9 city/ 2.4 highway
Warranty: Three years/60,000 km new car and roadside assistance, five years/100,000 km powertrain, eight years/160,000 advanced battery capacity loss s
