The Nissan (electric car) is known to customers as the Nissan LEAF. This is a machine that has been mass-produced since 2010, in the spring. Its world premiere took place in Tokyo in 2009. The company began to take orders for manufacturing from April 1 of next year. So, the model is quite interesting, and I would like to talk more about it.
About production
The assembly of the first copies began, of course, in Japan (in the city of Oppama). And then, after some time, from 2012, the company launched the production of these models in the United States. After that, the car became even more popular and famous, so that production also began in the UK.
At the end of the last autumn month of 2010, this car was declared the winner among electronic models exhibited at the competition “European Car of the Year 2011”. But this is not the only reward. In 2011, in April, the car was chosen as the winner of the contest called “World Car of the Year 2011”. These awards have made the model even more bought and popular. So, now we should talk about the car itself.
About Model
Nissan company has declared its electric vehicle to be the first affordable and mass vehicle in the global market in the world. Well, here you can argue. Of course, the car has become popular. However, another hundred years ago, other electric cars were mass-produced. For example, in 1910 in New York, taxis drove through the streets, which worked precisely on electricity. And since the 1950s, such machines have been bought in the UK.
There are competitors for the new Nissan. For example, the famous General Motors or the modern Tesla Model S. There are several tens of thousands of these machines around the world. But we must admit the fact that LEAF has become bought. It is worth considering its technical characteristics. This will help to understand how the company has succeeded in creating a good machine that uses only electricity.
Design
Built Nissan LEAF on a brand new platform. This car shares it with the compact model Micra 2011 and the famous crossover Juke. An electric motor is installed under the hood. If you translate its original power into horsepower, you get about 108 liters. from. The torque is 280 Nm.
This car is front-wheel drive. The most massive and heaviest element of the model (i.e. the battery) is located below. Thus, it was possible to provide the car with excellent stability. This, by the way, is one of the advantages of this machine. The battery is also an element providing good structural rigidity. So the five-door hatchback is very durable.
About Battery
Nissan is an electric car that receives its specific “fuel” from a lithium-ion battery. She, by the way, was assembled for a car of 192 cells! What is her composition? There are only two elements - this is lithium manganate on the positive electrode, which is combined with graphite (respectively, on the negative).
The mass of the battery is rather big - about 270 kilograms. It is located under the upper seats, so it does not take up extra space. Its capacity is equal to 24 kWh. Of course, compared to other cars that run either on diesel or on fuel, the Nissan electric car is not so powerful and fast. And the charge in it is enough for about 160 kilometers. Therefore, not all electric vehicles “Nissan Leaf” receive positive reviews. And, I must admit, not everyone suits it. You need to understand that this model was created not for conquering roads and highways at high speeds, but for quiet movement around the city - from home to work, to the store, to visit and vice versa. Every 160 kilometers you have to charge the car. This can be done both at specialized stations and from a stationary outlet. However, in the first case, the charging process will take about five hours, and in the latter - about eight. By the way, you need to take into account the fact that the battery life cycle is approximately five years. So it’s worth counting on the fact that after this time you’ll either have to change the battery or purchase a more practical car.
Charge cycle
Interestingly, on a special Nissan charger, this machine can be filled with energy in just thirty minutes. True, not completely, but only 80%. This machine has two sockets designed for chargers. Both are in front of the car. One is for normal, standard charging, and the other is for faster.
Today, batteries are assembled in Japan. About 65 thousand sets come out in one year alone. Another plant, it was decided to place in Smyrna (Tennessee). There annually about 200 thousand sets are released.
Nissan, the photo of which is presented above, quickly became popular, and manufacturers, given this fact, decided to improve the model. Naturally, the improvements should have touched the battery. And managed to do it. The developers brought charging power and increased mileage to 123 miles (almost 200 kilometers). So now the car can withstand 40 kilometers more. And the recharge time was halved. After improvements, the model can be filled with energy in four hours. More experts are thinking of equipping the model with an all-round parking camera, and trim the interior with leather. Nissan, whose photos show us a very compact car, looks decent from the inside. In this regard, developers and designers really succeeded. However, the exterior should have worked. Still, at first glance at this car, it becomes clear that it is electric.
Criticism and reviews
Nissan electric cars in Russia were also recognized. Of course, there are not so many of them as upscale presentable Mercedes or Audi, but such cars can also be found in the vastness of our homeland. Of course, there is a lot of criticism of the model. And everyone notes with attention those same 200 kilometers that a car can drive. This is not suitable for many - you still want independence from the vehicle. And indeed, in order for a car running on electricity to become truly popular, it is necessary that it can stay on for a couple of days without recharging. But this will not really be done for many more years.
There are also positive qualities. Running data, for example. They are really good. The car starts off softly and easily, demonstrates good dynamics and good visibility, and this model also boasts excellent sound insulation and a set of modern electronic accessories.
Cost
And one more thing that needs to be mentioned when talking about the Nissan (electric car). Price is what is meant. In Russia, this model in pretty good condition can be bought for about 630-690 thousand rubles. For the money you get a car in which 109 horsepower, automatic transmission, low mileage, seats with adjustable heating (with a timer), good speakers, soft running and excellent maneuverability. But the price, admittedly, is not small. However, to buy such a car or not, this is everyone’s business.