The Versa and the Leaf...

[KimberKenobi]

After perusing the Leaf's website... I almost feel like the Versa was a test for the viability of a car of that size in the market place... It's no secret that the technology in the Leaf was based/tested in the Versa (look at all their test EV vehicles... they were Versas).

Their strategy seemed pretty sound... I'm excited to see how the all electric market does this time around. Tesla seems to have done well, so I hope that Nissan is prosperous in this venture.

I am kinda curious how many of us here think a Leaf would fit their needs... I don't know if I would have bought a Leaf instead of a Versa... although I've averaged only 71 miles per day... but if I had to stop every 100 miles to sit for 30 minutes, that trip to Seattle would've taken a LONG time...

But if all things (like passenger and cargo room) are held equal between the Versa and the Leaf, would you consider it among the vehicles you considered before choosing a Versa?

[srellim234]

Sound strategy, yes. Would have considered purchasing, no.

An electric vehicle is still something we are considering but the Leaf is not going to be it. While the restricted range fits our needs most days, the availability of hybrids for the same price or less allows the flexbility of the occasional extended range trip. The Leaf's price is simply more than we are willing to pay for a second car with restricted range.

The Versa was originally intended to be that second vehicle but became our primary vehicle as it showed itself to be much more than an economical run-around town car. For our needs one of the up-and-coming electric micro-cars would work for us and they will be cheaper.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

I would MAYBE consider one if I was going to be at my current job forever which is city driving about 100 miles a day (if you guessed Dominos, you're right ). Actually will be looking for an older single cab Ford Ranger to keep the effin miles off my Versa and the occasional loading up of things that would not fit in a Versa no matter how "Versa-tile" it may be

[iluvmyVersa08]

I have no interest in the Leaf or any other electric vehicle that is out in the market. I like the Versa and want to use if for a long long time. 3 more years left of payments (and it will be all mine ) and 5 years left on my warranty. I hope it lasts me another 10 years.

[Andrews Chalmers]

No interest in buying the Leaf... but interested in buying Leaf parts for the Versa

[Bubs daddy]

Electric vehicles will be a niche item until a 300-400 mile range batteries and much quicker charging system is developed.

That Leaf may get 100 miles in perfect conditions but not in a northern winter and not in a southern and western summer. I'm sure mileage and range wil drop to half of that.

I would not even consider an electric vehicle until the price (without subsidies) could match a comparable gasoline/diesel engined car. There's just no advantage to it. Limited range, hours to charge, overpriced, almost zero infrastructure, and unknown reliability. Not to mention new technology always gets cheaper so these Leafs aren't going to hold their value, in fact they'll lose quite a bit of value and greatly depreciate.

Emissions, perhaps but gasoline cars today are 99%+ clean. We're splitting hairs and getting to the point of fractional returns. Besides, I drive by the many copper mines that used to be AZ mountains. You need to get the raw materials for all that electron pushing somewhere. And the process isn't pretty. Strip mined copper, nickel and other ores to provide the metals necessary for electric generating motors and batteries for these vehicles comes at an environmental impact that's just as real as any other energy exploration.

I'm not convinced electric vehicles will ever be viable, in the immediate future certainly only for urban use. 30 years, maybe. A hybrid would be a far better choice at this juncture.

There are two potential advantages to electric vehicles. Less maintenance and some serious, instant torque. But just the thought of a whisper quiet car, I don't know.

I drive to San Diego and back a few times a year. I wouldn't even get to the first dinosaur/Native jewelry stand before that Leaf would grind to a quiet halt. As it is, I can drive about 400 miles in 5.5 hours and take 5 minutes to fill up. Even moderate trips in the Leaf would be out.

But think of the fun with the name, though. If you own two of them, you could say "I have Leaves in my driveway."

[KimberKenobi]

rofl

[Rand0m0sityxX]

But think of the fun with the name, though. If you own two of them, you could say "I have Leaves in my driveway."

LMAO!

I have no interest in it, tho It would probably be practical for people who drive alot in the city, like me. I put 100 miles or more on my car in a day of working (I deliver pizza for Pizza Hut), but the cost of it, and everything else, just doesn't amount to being practical. I like my gas powered car, and gas doesn't take but 5 minutes to fill. Charging that takes 30 minutes? no thanks. So I'll stick to my 1.9l 4 cyl twin cam motor, that has power behind it

[Andrews Chalmers]

I'm not convinced electric vehicles will ever be viable, in the immediate future certainly only for urban use. 30 years, maybe. A hybrid would be a far better choice at this juncture.

Ditto - electric vehicles are more suited for urban small vehicles. In many East Asian countries, they'll be perfected suited to personal commute use. I actually think the perfect EV platform would be something to the size of a Toyota iQ.

Hydrogen fuel cells should be the future - a manufactured fuel that a consumer can refuel and drive away without having to wait hours for a full charge.

[versanewb]

I am kinda curious how many of us here think a Leaf would fit their needs... I don't know if I would have bought a Leaf instead of a Versa... although I've averaged only 71 miles per day... but if I had to stop every 100 miles to sit for 30 minutes, that trip to Seattle would've taken a LONG time...

The Leaf technology is mostly aimed at markets were the driver lives in a city. Places like China were emissions and fuel consumption standards are much stricter than in the U.S. will be great markets for this technology. Even Mercedes Benz is going to use the Leaf electric technology in one of their new models.

[aidan80]

The leaf seems great, if I only ever needed to go back and forth to work for the next 10 years maybe I'd buy one lol! 100 miles just seems very restrictive and I've not yet seen any infrastructure to support charging or battery swaps? I'd personally jump on it if it had better range e.g. like the Tesla's! or if it had a small generator on-board to recharge the batteries as you drive similar to the volt.

It is a really nice idea but range has to be the critical limitation plus we all remember the EV1 that were leased and pulled again. Whats to say Nissan won't pull the batteries for these Leaf's and leave all those buyers with an oversized paperweight in their drive way.

[Bubs daddy]

Places like China were emissions and fuel consumption standards are much stricter than in the U.S...

[KimberKenobi]

It is a really nice idea but range has to be the critical limitation plus we all remember the EV1 that were leased and pulled again. Whats to say Nissan won't pull the batteries for these Leaf's and leave all those buyers with an oversized paperweight in their drive way.

That is an interesting point... Then again, if you buy your leaf and your battery, Nissan cannot remove it from your possession... the EV1's were never owned which is why they could be taken at the end of the leases - even from those unwilling to part with their vehicles.

Plus, there are enough folks out there dabbling in the electric market, if you had a Leaf and no battery, I'm sure it wouldn't take long for someone to make a replacement available. Look at the plug-in kit for the Prius... someone would make it work and then share their idea.

[carlos15]

lol i would never buy an electric car at all i like eharing the engine. it would be kinda weird driving a silent vehicle

[kvg]

great second car