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Automotive Technology
GOLFEN: Nissan Leaf Draws Electric Response
Automaker takes battery-powered car on nationwide tour as production version is readied.
Bob Golfen  |  Posted January 04, 2010   Phoenix, AZ
A crowd gathers to check out the Nissan Leaf electric car during a stopover in Phoenix during its nationwide tour. (Photo: Bob Golfen)
Small and silent, the Nissan Leaf may not seem like much of a revolution. But it is one nonetheless.

An all-electric passenger car from a major automaker is something we haven’t seen since the ill-fated General Motors EV1 a decade ago. The EV1 both impressed and disappointed, and it wound up crushed to oblivion. It also subjected GM to a very critical documentary film, “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

But the past decade has seen major leaps in electric-propulsion technology, the popular use of gas/electric hybrids and a coming generation of plug-in hybrids that moves the needle even further along.

Meanwhile, Nissan has been quietly experimenting with electric drivelines, charging systems and batteries, plus the whole gamut of cutting-edge technology that would turn a futuristic science project into an acceptable consumer vehicle.

Paul Hawson of Nissan electric-vehicle product planning explains how the Leaf's upholstery is being made with recycled plastic bottles. (Photo: Bob Golfen)
“All of the knowledge of the past decade is in this vehicle,” said Paul Hawson, head of Nissan’s electric-vehicle product planning, who’s part of the Japanese automaker’s nationwide introductory tour of the Leaf.

Nissan has even developed its own lithium-ion batteries to power it, he added.

2009 seemed like the year of hybrid and electric-car announcements. Fisker, Tesla, Chevy Volt and, notably, the Nissan Leaf were newsmakers at a time when the environment and the economy have been pushed to the front of the global consciousness. During 2010, these electric cars and extended-range hybrids will start rolling out.

Leaf may not be the sexiest or the most exotic of the bunch, but it represents real-world urban transportation and a likely harbinger of things to come. A quick five-passenger compact sedan that can be driven 100 miles between charges, and that can be charged at home or on the go, seems like something most drivers can relate to.

The electric car arrives at Nissan dealers in December, according to plan, once the last of the kinks are worked out.

Nissan has been introducing its all-electric, zero-emission progeny with a cross-country tour that started with Leaf’s public debut Nov. 13 in Los Angeles. Recently, it arrived in Phoenix, where it showed up at a New Year’s block party and was presented Monday to the local media and select members of the public, mainly alternative-fuel enthusiasts.

The actual Leaf show car was set up for static display only, but we got to drive a Versa test car with the same electric-propulsion system as the Leaf’s. Smooth and utterly quiet, the electric Versa accelerates like it had a small V8 under its small hood.

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