Test driving a Nissan Leaf

[Bagnaj97]

Thanks for the post. Am curious, as i guess most of us are, about electric car tech like this, but though it could (as present) cope with 90% of my needs well, when i currently drive to france for holidays (500+ miles each way with kids in the back) i need a stop to be no more than 20 - 30 mins, and i dont know if an electric car could do that for me yet.
Still, thanks again!

I think my next car will be electric (although hopefully my current car will last several more years!). I think the only time I might struggle with an electric car is camping trips, but in that case I'd just have a hire car for a week. An electric car with 150+ mile range would comfortably cover all my day to day needs.

It sounds like a hire car for holidays would also be a solution for you.

[badass]

2018 Leaf just announced. More range, less goofy-looking, cheaper. https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/6/16...o-launch-event

Lets hope they don't cheap out on battery thermal management this time!

[big_hairy_rob]

We're in a situation when the early adopters for Electric are the same early adopters of Hybrid (aka, the Prius); people who can afford an comparatively 'expensive' second car, or executives who live close enough for the commute (including driving to the station) and who don't need significant number of seats/storage room. This is further broken down by people who want practicality, or with fewer choice those who want luxury..

While I would seriously consider one, they are currently far too expensive both upfront and over the life span, as well as just generally impractical. I do want them to succeed, but can't see how these will suite the majority as things stand. So this becomes a bit like the Occulus Rift, great in theory, but limited in practice.

[Dashers]

We pay £175/m for a Renault Zoe, with zero deposit. The range is 60-70 miles worst case, the newer one goes further. There is room in the back for a baby seat without compromising front seat space. And enough room in the boot for pushchair and what not. In reality it is the same as any other small 5 door hatchback just the ride height feels higher as the batteries are underneath the car.

Don't write them off without trying them out. I was very sceptical but landed up with one.

[peterb]

Don't write them off without trying them out. I was very sceptical but landed up with one.

Absolutely! I enjoyed my test drive, it was a chance to explore some of my concerns in RL. Some proved unfounded, others not. I've documented my thoughts earlier in the thread - at the moment the Leaf and similar vehicles would be a great second car, but I don't need to run a second car. But the newly announce Leaf, and the EVs that will follow, is closing the gap where for me they become an affordable primary car.