Nissan LEAF - How It Works

The Nissan LEAF uses no gas, and therefore creates no emissions. It is a fully electric vehicle, unlike the Volt, which has the option to use a gas-powered engine to charge the battery while it drives, or a hybrid, which relies largely on gas.

Instead of a gas engine, this electric car is powered by laminated, compact lithium-ion batteries. They produce over 90kW, and the electric motor delivers 90 kW. This translates into a 107 horsepower of torque. The vehicle is capable of speeds of up to 90 mph, and it can jump from zero to 60 in about 8 seconds, which is not too shabby.

One thing that is quite different about the LEAF than a traditional gas-powered car is the fact that it has no transmission. Even conventional hybrids have a variable transmission, but the LEAF has none. This means it runs very well at low speeds as well as high speeds, unlike its gas powered counterparts which require a high RPM to reach their maximum horsepower. With the LEAF, you have access to all 107 horses the moment you start driving, no matter how fast you are going.

Nissan LEAF - How It Drives

This lack of transmission translates into one more important feature of the LEAF: its smooth handling. There is no shifting from one gear to the next, because the gears do not exist. This electric car floats as if you are driving a cloud, with minimal, if any, vibration apart from what comes from the surface of the road. Many reviews of the Leaf point to this fact.

Because it has access to all of its torque from a standing start, the LEAF is very responsive when you press the accelerator. You will be surprised how quickly you speed up when you are driving. You will also find that it responds very well to steering, and that it is not difficult to turn the steering wheel. Corners are not a problem in this vehicle, and braking is also smooth because it has traction control, electronic brake force distribution, and vehicle dynamic control.

Traction control prevents a loss of traction between the wheels and the road, which can cause spins or slips on turns or in poor weather. This system varies the amount of power sent to the vehicles if it appears they are starting to slip, so that the user maintains better control over the car. Electronic brake force distribution provides a similar stability control, distributing the brake force between the different vehicles based on the load in the car.

This helps the car to stop faster even when it has a lot of stuff inside. Vehicle dynamic control monitors traction and uses the breaks to stop spinning wheels whenever necessary. All three of these systems work together to not only protect the driver and occupants of the vehicle, but also makes the ride smooth and pleasant.

One of the first things you will notice when you drive a LEAF is how quiet it is. The electric motor does not create a whir like a traditional gas powered internal combustion engine. This could, in theory, create a problem by amplifying the road noise, but Nissan did its homework and used insulation and design elements to lessen road noise. As you will read on just about any EV review, this is probably the quietest car you have ever driven, unless of course you have had the privilege of testing out another EV.

Nissan LEAF - How to Charge

One of the fundamental differences between the LEAF and the Chevrolet Volt is the fact that the LEAF does not have any gas engine, while the Volt allows the car to charge its own batteries using a gas-powered generator. So the only way to power the LEAF is with electricity.

This electric vehicle comes with a 24 kWh battery pack. You can charge this battery pack using your own home outlet simply by plugging it in while it is parked in the garage overnight. This, however, does not provide sufficient charge for the 100-mile optimum charge. Charging using a standard 110 or 120 volt outlet give the car about 6 miles of range per hour of charge, and this will take up to 17 hours to fully charge.

For this reason, the LEAF will be sold with "Level 2" charging stations. These will supply a 220-240 volt charge, similar to the charge used to power your dryer. They are fairly simple to install, and with the Level 2 charging station, you can charge your vehicle to 100 percent capacity in about 8 hours, making the overnight scenario doable. With the 220-volt charge, the LEAF can take on 14 miles of range each hour.

There is also a third charging option. DC Fast Chargers, which charge the car to 80 percent in less than half hour, are installed in strategic locations near places where the LEAF has been launched. These are not cheap, because they require industrially rated power supplies, so they will not be used at home. If you are going to want this option and live in an area where the quick charge feature is available, plan to spend an additional $700 when you purchase your LEAF for the upgrade.