Comments on: Car review: Nissan Leaf https://habitablezone.com/2011/05/22/car-review-nissan-leaf/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jody https://habitablezone.com/2011/05/22/car-review-nissan-leaf/#comment-985 Jody Mon, 23 May 2011 15:39:28 +0000 http://184.73.169.189/?p=1087#comment-985 I agree ER n/t I agree ER n/t

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2011/05/22/car-review-nissan-leaf/#comment-981 ER Mon, 23 May 2011 15:10:12 +0000 http://184.73.169.189/?p=1087#comment-981 I've never understood the enthusiasm for fully electric cars (as opposed to hybrids, which make much more sense to me. From the environmental point of view,the energy still comes from burning fossil fuel (in a power plant). From the convenience point of view, the infrastructure for recharging isn't there. From the performance point of view, it takes too long to recharge a battery, and they are expensive, making their use in ordinary transportation impractical. In some applications, such as service vehicle fleets, they might make engineering and economic sense. But I just can't seem them as a viable alternative to a light vehicle powered by a small gasoline or diesel engine. Unless the technology radically improves, the only future of the personal automobile I can foresee is a tiny (about a half ton) 2-4 passenger chassis powered by a governed, motorcycle-type (under 1000 cc) engine of about 50 HP. 50 MPG, under 60 MPH. Hey, it's not a Z-car or an SUV, but it will still do 90% of what the average car does 90% of the time. It's either that, or take the bus to work. I’ve never understood the enthusiasm for fully electric cars (as opposed to hybrids, which make much more sense to me.

From the environmental point of view,the energy still comes from burning fossil fuel (in a power plant).

From the convenience point of view, the infrastructure for recharging isn’t there.

From the performance point of view, it takes too long to recharge a battery, and they are expensive, making their use in ordinary transportation impractical.

In some applications, such as service vehicle fleets, they might make engineering and economic sense. But I just can’t seem them as a viable alternative to a light vehicle powered by a small gasoline or diesel engine.

Unless the technology radically improves, the only future of the personal automobile I can foresee is a tiny (about a half ton) 2-4 passenger chassis powered by a governed, motorcycle-type (under 1000 cc) engine of about 50 HP. 50 MPG, under 60 MPH.

Hey, it’s not a Z-car or an SUV, but it will still do 90% of what the average car does 90% of the time. It’s either that, or take the bus to work.

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/05/22/car-review-nissan-leaf/#comment-979 TB Mon, 23 May 2011 14:18:47 +0000 http://184.73.169.189/?p=1087#comment-979 I don't know about you, but that article didn't do a very good job of selling me on an electric car. I would like to see a review from someone who did have access to the 240V charger, though. I don’t know about you, but that article didn’t do a very good job of selling me on an electric car. I would like to see a review from someone who did have access to the 240V charger, though.

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2011/05/22/car-review-nissan-leaf/#comment-973 ER Mon, 23 May 2011 12:10:25 +0000 http://184.73.169.189/?p=1087#comment-973 TB is always selling something, :) TB is always selling something, :)

]]> By: Eri https://habitablezone.com/2011/05/22/car-review-nissan-leaf/#comment-970 Eri Mon, 23 May 2011 10:19:45 +0000 http://184.73.169.189/?p=1087#comment-970 TB's got himself a job as on-line car salesman. Go get 'em! :) TB’s got himself a job as on-line car salesman. Go get ‘em! :)

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