Contary to what you might think, we like the Nissan Leaf here at DriveLife. I even own one, and you can read about my ‘journey’ in it, driving it from Auckland to Wellington. My wife loves driving it, as do I. It’s peppy and hard to beat in accleration to 50km/h, and of course, it’s so cheap to run.

After ten years of the model, Nissan has issued a press release looking at the Leaf and its development over the last decade.

EV sales in Europe have surged with 132% year-on-year increase in battery electric vehicle registrations from July to September 2020. In line with motorists’ interest for EVs, the Nissan LEAF is in its prime with more advanced technology and thrilling electrified power than ever before.

Daylight nearly gone now

Refined over a decade of expertise and innovation, Nissan sheds light on LEAF’s journey with 10 fascinating insights, from rewriting the EV rule book in 2010, to the thrilling, tech-packed model of today. 

As the first mass-market electric vehicle a decade ago, LEAF led the way in establishing the foundation for modern EVs. With an innovative approach to electrified mobility, Nissan LEAF has helped customers, cities and governments achieve a more sustainable future. 

“Over the past decade the journey of transformation with the Nissan LEAF represents the true innovation and advancements of EV development at Nissan.” Said Helen Perry, Head of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe. “Customers continue to choose the Nissan LEAF for its powerful & agile driving experience supported by its advanced driving technologies such as the e-pedal. It is the perfect balance of exciting yet sustainable mobility.”  

Only cows for company in Te Kauwahata
  1. LEAF achieved a number of ‘firsts’ 

    As the world’s first mass-market EV, LEAF has secured unprecedented achievements. In 2011, it was the first-ever EV to win the World Car of the Year award in the 47-year history of the prize.  
  2. LEAF’s power has more than doubled 

    On average, LEAF’s battery capacity and range have increased by 160% and 120% respectivelyii.These increases have ultimately boosted customers’ confidence on the road. Today, LEAF offers more than double the original power, enhancing the electrified driving experience. 
  3. LEAF is about all-new technologies   

    LEAF introduced unprecedented technologies that helped drivers optimise efficiency, including the innovative e-Pedal for one-pedal driving, regenerative braking and Eco-Mode. LEAF paved the way for future Nissan EVs, such as the new Nissan Ariya all-electric coupé crossover. 
  4. Since LEAF’s arrival, public charging infrastructure is growing fast 

    The number of public charging points increased hugely over LEAF’s life, from 2,379 in the EU in 2011, to 213,367 todayiii. Nissan supports this infrastructure growth across Europe, having helped expand 20 of the EU’s charging point ‘corridors’. 
  5. LEAF customers are happy drivers 

    92% of European LEAF drivers would recommend driving an EV to friends and familyiv. With expert support offered by Nissan and at dealerships, customers continue to feel satisfied and happy about owning and living with a LEAF. 
  6. Once you drive a LEAF you don’t lose the spark  

    As a result of all-round satisfaction with their electrified experience, 74% of LEAF owners say they are likely to purchase another EV in the future.   
  7. Electric mobility created new services for customers  

    As LEAF developed, so did a wider customer experience. This included the development of the Nissan Charge app that allows EV owners to monitor price and availability of charging points in real-time – including those at Nissan dealerships. 
  8. Each LEAF’s life is very efficient 

    Electric cars, like Nissan LEAF, are highly efficient. From the start of production process, through the end of an EVs lifecycle, they generate up to 80% less CO2 than equivalent combustion-engine carsv. As its technology and design is refined, the sustainability of LEAF is increasing, helping achieve a cleaner future. 
  9. LEAF batteries have more than one life 

    EV batteries can be repurposed and recycled. 148 batteries helped to create the world’s largest energy storage system at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruijff Arena in 2018.  
  10. LEAF batteries are safe and reliable 

    LEAF batteries have proven to be extremely durable, without any critical incidents reported to Nissan since its launch in 2010 and 180,000 units sold in Europe and counting. LEAF comes with an industry-leading, 8-year / 160,000km battery warranty – with an extremely low number of warranty claims. 
Previous articleNZ’s first electric vehicle for under 50k – MG ZS EV
Next article2021 Citroen C3 release
Fred Alvrez
How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. You can read more on www.usa2nz.co.nz. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.