The drive
As stated on my Twitter account (@Matt_St_Pierre), I noted that I was a little disappointed that I (and everyone else at the event) was not going to be driving the LEAF. Alternatively, we were given the opportunity to take the LEAF's test bed for a very brief jaunt around some cones. The Nissan EV-12 is in fact a Versa with an extended wheelbase that is identical to that of the LEAF. We were told that the EV-12 is 95% a LEAF in technology, ride and handling.
In a nutshell, as there is no other way to elaborate on the drive, the car accelerated smoothly, in a very linear fashion with instant throttle response. Steering was heavy and the regenerative brakes were only mildly intrusive (we tend to quickly get used to them). The batteries' girth is evident in sharp turns but it's nothing to really complain about. I certainly cannot wait to drive the real deal!
So much more!
There is so much more to say on this subject and this project. For example, did you know an electric car has way fewer moving parts? That it does not require any fluids to run? No more oil changes! That the upcoming Tennessee plant will build not only the car but the batteries? This means dependency on foreign-anything for energy pretty much ends right then and there. That like any other new technology, prices will drop when the scale rises? A 2017 sub-20 grand EV without government backing could very well be possible.
Although the LEAF idea is great, we (at least I) should not envision a future containing only electric cars. Mr. Ghosn clearly stated that 90% of his business will still be based on ICE vehicles. One way or another, I am now, more than ever, sold on the idea of an EV daily commuter... So long as I get to keep my old Jetta for those times when I'll long for the sound of a buzzy 4-cylinder engine... and for the smell of burnt hydrocarbons.
photo:Mathieu St-Pierre, Nissan
As stated on my Twitter account (@Matt_St_Pierre), I noted that I was a little disappointed that I (and everyone else at the event) was not going to be driving the LEAF. Alternatively, we were given the opportunity to take the LEAF's test bed for a very brief jaunt around some cones. The Nissan EV-12 is in fact a Versa with an extended wheelbase that is identical to that of the LEAF. We were told that the EV-12 is 95% a LEAF in technology, ride and handling.
In a nutshell, as there is no other way to elaborate on the drive, the car accelerated smoothly, in a very linear fashion with instant throttle response. Steering was heavy and the regenerative brakes were only mildly intrusive (we tend to quickly get used to them). The batteries' girth is evident in sharp turns but it's nothing to really complain about. I certainly cannot wait to drive the real deal!
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| The Nissan EV-12 is in fact a Versa with an extended wheelbase that is identical to that of the LEAF. |
So much more!
There is so much more to say on this subject and this project. For example, did you know an electric car has way fewer moving parts? That it does not require any fluids to run? No more oil changes! That the upcoming Tennessee plant will build not only the car but the batteries? This means dependency on foreign-anything for energy pretty much ends right then and there. That like any other new technology, prices will drop when the scale rises? A 2017 sub-20 grand EV without government backing could very well be possible.
Although the LEAF idea is great, we (at least I) should not envision a future containing only electric cars. Mr. Ghosn clearly stated that 90% of his business will still be based on ICE vehicles. One way or another, I am now, more than ever, sold on the idea of an EV daily commuter... So long as I get to keep my old Jetta for those times when I'll long for the sound of a buzzy 4-cylinder engine... and for the smell of burnt hydrocarbons.
photo:Mathieu St-Pierre, Nissan
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