Nissan says long range EVs are unnecessary – what do you think? (w/ Poll)

Posted: Oct 24, 2011
    Email 6 Comments

2011 Nissan LEAF Black Electric Car

The Nissan LEAF, according to the EPA’s fuel-economy testing, lets owners drive a total of 73 miles. Nissan’s own internal test using the LA-4 cycle, shows the LEAF’s driving range to come in at 100 miles on a single charge.

While driver’s who have range-anxiety want at least 200 to 300 miles between charges, Nissan think it’s unnecessary.

According to Mark Perry, director of product planning and strategy for Nissan North America, ‘there’s no market need’ for an EV that gets hundreds of miles between charges.

Click here for more news on the Nissan LEAF.

Nissan’s data shows that a typical LEAF owner driver travels about 37 miles a day, meaning LEAF owners on average use only half the juice of a fully charged battery. That’s pretty consistent with a study conducted by other organizations that found that Americans drive less than 40 miles a day.

What are your thoughts? Have your say in the poll below.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver


Share |  Email  Print |

Tags: , , , ,



Subscribe & Connect

Connect with us on any of our social profiles below.

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

  • Michael Walsh

    I differ with Mark in that I would say there is no short-term market need for an EV that gets hundreds of miles between charges. But for the EV to completely replace the ICE vehicle, there has to be an affordable EV that will do 300 miles between charges.

  • Jose G

    As a Leaf owner, Nissan is both right and wrong.  Yes, the Leaf covers 95% + of my driving needs.  It absolutely covers my typical daily driving.

    However, when I need to drive more than 80 miles, I take my gas car.  Most households already have more than 1 car and can have this arrangement.

    When it comes time to replace my gas car, I will be demanding a plug-in that gets more than 300 miles range.  Whether it be a pure EV like the Tesla Model S, or a REEV like the Volt.  I will also be demanding it have 4wd or AWD, something neither of those offer.

    I won’t be buying another gas car though.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZ3Q6AFALA5VURSUFULKKUF2MM TM

    I have 9k mi on my LEAF. I don’t need nor want to haul around 300 mi of battery for my 30 mi daily commute. But, I have found that 100 mi freeway range would be handy for occasional local trips. So, for a few more g’s I’d like 30% more battery than the LEAF offers.
    I have an ICE SUV that I need 2-3 times/yr for long trips. I may sell that and rent next time. Like Jose G, I think I’ve bought my last non plug-in car.

  • Cad4life

    buy a volt

  • Cad4life

    yes it needs more, because the one time u need 2 drive over 73[100] miles u want b using this car, will have 2 rental or have a 2nd car, this is a great second car, but it should b the only car if u drive 4 real

  • Healy_healy

    I’m a LEAF owner and I’m here to tell you the LEAF’s range is far below the claimed 100 miles in my cars case. I’ve been getting only 60 to 70 miles of range on a fully charged battery. I drive mostly city streets at speeds rarely exceeding 40 and use Eco mode all the time. My route consists of 60% flat roads 40% small hills. Any elevation increase will drain the battery fast. You can watch the range tick down rapidly. I often record 3 to 4 miles of range loss for ever mile driven on even slight hills. Now that it’s cold the range is even worse so I’ve been keeping the heat off to conserve power so that’s uncomfortable. True its cheaper than gas still but as often as I have to charge I’m paying more for electricity than I expected I would. I will always drive an electric car since gas is not an option for me but my next EV will not be a LEAF if this range issue persists.