- 2011/2012 model year
The United States Environmental Protection Agency official range is 117 km (73 mi), much less than the 160 kilometres (100 mi) quoted by Nissan.[48][49][50][51] The Federal Trade Commission, which is supposed to label all alternative-fuel vehicles, disagrees with the EPA rating, and considers that the correct range is between 96 to 110 miles (154 to 177 km). Although the FTC does not conduct its own tests as EPA does, it relies on a standard set by SAE International and the results reported by automakers.[52] The Leaf has a range of 175 km (109 mi) on the New European Driving Cycle.[53]
Based on third-party test drives carried out in the US, reviewers have found that the range available from a single charge can vary up to 40% in real-world situations; reports vary from about 100 kilometres (62 mi) to almost 222 kilometres (138 mi) depending on driving style, load, traffic conditions, weather (i.e. wind, atmospheric density), and accessory use.[54][55] Nissan tested the Leaf under several scenarios to estimate real-world range figures, and obtained a worst-case scenario of 76 kilometres (47 mi) and a best-case scenario of 222 kilometres (138 mi). The following table summarizes the results under each scenario tested using EPA's L4 test cycle and presents EPA rating as a reference:[56][57]
| Summary of the Nissan's results using EPA L4 test cycle operating the Leaf under different real-world scenarios[56][57] | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving condition | Speed | Temperature | Total Drive Duration | Range | Air conditioner | |||
| mph | km/h | °F | °C | mi | km | |||
| Cruising (ideal condition) | 38 | 61 | 68 | 20 | 3 hr 38 min | 138 | 222 | Off |
| City traffic | 24 | 39 | 77 | 25 | 4 hr 23 min | 105 | 169 | Off |
| Highway | 55 | 89 | 95 | 35 | 1 hr 16 min | 70 | 110 | In use |
| Winter, stop-and-go traffic | 15 | 24 | 14 | −10 | 4 hr 08 min | 62 | 100 | Heater on |
| Heavy stop-and-go traffic | 6 | 10 | 86 | 30 | 7 hr 50 min | 47 | 76 | In use |
| EPA five-cycle tests[48] | n.a. | 73 | 117 | Varying | ||||
Consumer Reports tested a 2011/12 model Leaf loaner under cold-weather driven as a daily commuter. The average range obtained was 105 kilometres (65 mi) per charge with temperatures varying from 20 to 30 °F (−7 to −1 °C). The magazine also reported one trip under a temperature of 10 °F (−12 °C) that began with the range panel indicator showing 32 kilometres (20 mi) remaining. After 13 kilometres (8 mi) the Leaf drastically lost power and dropped its speed and continued to run slower until the last stretch was completed almost at walking speed. Consumer Reports concluded that the Leaf works as designed under cold temperatures but a more accurate range indicator is desirable.[58]
In June 2011 Nissan reported, based on data collected through the Leaf's advanced telematics system, that most Leaf owners in Japan and the United States drive distances less than 60 miles (100 km) per day.[59] Nissan also found that on average owners charge their electric cars for two hours a night, and occasionally some owners drive two days on one charge.[60] In October 2011 Nissan North America reported that based on a bigger sample of 7,500 Leafs on the U.S. roads, the typical driver averages 37 mi (60 km) a day and the average trip length is 7 mi (11 km), measured as the distance between power on and power off.[61]
In the second quarter of 2012 during the Finnish springtime, Finnish car magazine tested the Leaf in city driving at the temperature of −15 °C (5 °F), they achieved range of 59 KM (37 mi), this was with cabin and battery heaters on.[62]
- 2013 model year
According to Nissan, the U.S. 2013 model year Leaf has a more efficient heating system that allows the Leaf to extend its range in cold-weather conditions by 20 to 25 mi (32 to 40 km).[63] The EPA rating is 121 km (75 mi) from 117 km (73 mi) in the previous models.[3] Nissan explained that actually these ratings are not comparable, because for the 2013 model year the EPA changed the test procedures to calculate range for electric cars. Before the agency estimated the range assuming the battery pack was charged to 100% of its capacity. Nissan estimates that the 2013 Leaf has a 135 km (84 mi) in the 100% charging (Long-Distance Mode charging), while the range drops to 106 km (66 mi) for an 80% charge (Long-Life Mode charging). The new EPA testing procedure considers the average of these two ranges. The range gains in 100% Long-Distance Mode range comes from improvements to the Leaf’s regenerative braking system, an overall weight reduction, and enhanced aerodynamics for 2013 model.[3][64]
The 2013 European version has a certified range of at 200 km (120 mi) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), up from 175 km (109 mi) from the 2011/12 model.[4]
- 2014/2015 model year
The official EPA range for the 2014 and 2015 model year Leaf increased from 121 to 135 km (75 to 84 mi).[65] The difference in range is due to a technicality, as Nissan decided to eliminate the EPA blended range rating, which was an average of the 80% charge range and the 100% charge range. For the 2014 model year model only the 100% charge range figure applies.[66]
Fuel economy[edit]
Under its five-cycle testing, the United States Environmental Protection Agency found the 2011 model Leaf's energy consumption to be 0.212 kWh/km (34 kWh/100 miles) and rated the Leaf combined fuel economy at 99 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent - MPGe - (2.4 L/100 km), with an equivalent 106 mpg-US (2.2 L/100 km; 127 mpg-imp) in city driving and 92 mpg-US (2.6 L/100 km; 110 mpg-imp) on highways.[48][49][67]
For the 2013 model year Leaf, Nissan achieved a 15% improvement of its EPA's fuel economy combined ratings.[11] According to the EPA, the 2013 Leaf improved its energy consumption to 29 kWh/100 miles (0.18 kWh/km) down from 34 kWh/100 miles (0.21 kWh/km), allowing the Leaf to increase its combined rating to 115 MPGe (2.0 L/100 km), 129 MPGe (1.8 L/100 km) in city driving and 102 MPGe (2.3 L/100 km) on highways.[68]
Operating costs[edit]
According to Consumer Reports, as of December 2011 the Nissan Leaf has an out-of-pocket operating cost of 3.5 cents per mile (2.19¢ per km) while the heavier Chevrolet Volthas a cost in electric mode of 3.8 cents per mile (2.38¢ per km). These costs are based on the U.S. national average electricity rate of 11 cents per kWh and energy consumption was estimated from their own tests.[69] The consumer magazine also compared the Leaf with the most fuel-efficient hybrid and gasoline-powered cars as tested by Consumer Reports. The results are summarized in the following table, and the analysis found that the Leaf operating cost is much less than half of the gasoline-powered cars for trips up to 70 mi (110 km), which is close to the Leaf's maximum range. The Volt while on EV mode has a close cost per mile but as the distance is larger than its electric range of 35 mi (56 km), the Leaf advantage is similar to the other cars. Consumer Reports also noted that even with a much higher electric rate of 19 cents per kWh, such as rural Connecticut, the Leaf still cost about 20% less to operate than the Prius and around 50% less than the Corolla.[69]
| Consumer Reports (CR) comparison of the Leaf and Volt versus the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered automobiles available in the U.S. market in 2011 that CR tested.[69] All prices are in US$. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Model year | Operating mode (powertrain) | Price as tested | CR overall fuel economy | Cost per mile | Cost for trip miles | |||
| 30 mi (48 km) | 50 mi (80 km) | 70 mi (110 km) | 150 mi (240 km) | ||||||
| Nissan Leaf | 2011 | All-electric | $35,430 | 106 MPG-e (3.16 mi/kWh) | $0.035 | $1.04 | $1.74 | $2.44 | — |
| Chevrolet Volt | 2011 | EV mode (35 mi range) | $43,700 | 99 MPG-e (2.93 mi/kWh) | $0.038 | $1.13 | — | — | — |
| Gasoline only (>35 mi) | 32 mpg | $0.125 | — | $3.19 | $5.69 | $15.69 | |||
| Toyota Prius | 2011 | Gasoline-electric hybrid | $26,750 | 44 mpg | $0.086 | $2.59 | $4.32 | $6.05 | $12.95 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2011 | Gasoline only | $18,404 | 32 mpg | $0.119 | $3.56 | $5.94 | $8.31 | $17.81 |
| Notes: All estimated costs per mile are out-of-pocket and do not include maintenance, depreciation or other costs. Costs for plug-in electric vehicles are based on the U.S. national average electricity rate of 11 cents per kWh and regular gasoline price of $3.80 per gallon. | |||||||||
According to Nissan, the operating cost of the Leaf in the U.K is 1.75 pence per mile (1.09p per km) when charging at an off-peak electricity rate, while a conventional gasoline-powered car costs more than 10 pence per mile (6.25p per km). These estimates are based on a national average of British Gas Economy 7 rates as of January 2012, and assumed 7 hours of charging overnight at the night rate and one hour in the daytime charged at the Tier-2 daytime rate.[70]
Payback time[edit]
According to Edmunds.com, the price premium paid for the Leaf, after discounting the US$7,500 federal tax credit, may take a long time for consumers to recover in fuel savings. In February 2012, Edmunds compared the mid-sized Leaf (priced at US$28,550) with the compact gasoline-powered Nissan Versa (priced at US$19,656) and found that the payback period for the Leaf is 9 years for gasoline at US$3 per gallon, 7 years at US$4 per gallon, and drops to 5 years with gasoline prices at US$5 per gallon. Considering gasoline prices by early 2012, the break even period is 7 years. These estimates assume an average of 15,000 mi (24,000 km) annual driving and vehicle prices correspond to Edmunds.com's true market value estimates.[71] For the same two vehicles, the U.S. EPA estimates the Leaf's annual fuel cost at US$612 while the Versa's annual fuel cost is US$1,860. EPA estimates are based on 45% highway and 55% city driving, over 15,000 annual miles; gasoline price of US$3.72 per gallon and electricity price of US$0.12 per kWh.[72]
In a similar comparison carried out in April 2012 by TrueCar.com for The New York Times, the analysis found that at a gasoline price ofUS$3.85 per gallon, the payback period required for the Leaf to compensate the nearly US$10,000 difference in purchase versus a Nissan Versa, takes 8.7 years. The analysis assumes an average of 15,000 miles driven a year, a fuel economy of 33.6 mpg-US (7.0 L/100 km; 40.4 mpg-imp) for the Versa, priced at US$18,640, and a Leaf price ofUS$28,421, after discounting the US$7,500 federal tax. The payoff time drops to 6 years if gasoline is priced at US$5 per gallon. The newspaper also reported that according to the March 2012 Lundberg Survey, gasoline prices would need to reach US$8.53 a gallon for the Leaf to be competitive with a similar gasoline-powered car in the 6 years an average person owns a car, while the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid requires a gasoline price of US$12.50 a gallon to break even.[73][74]
Total cost of ownership[edit]
According to a study published in June 2013 by the Electric Power Research Institute, the total cost of ownership of the 2013 Nissan Leaf SV is substantially lower than that of comparable conventional and hybrid vehicles. For comparison, the study constructed average hybrid and conventional vehicles and assumed an average US distance per trip distribution. The study took into account the manufacturer's suggested retail price, taxes, credits, destination charge, electric charging station, fuel cost, maintenance cost, and additional cost due to the use of a gasoline vehicle for trips beyond the range of the Leaf.[75][76]
| Electric Power Research Institute comparison of the Nissan Leaf versus average conventional and hybrid cars. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Operating mode (powertrain) | Total ownership cost | |||||||
| US Average | California | ||||||||
| Nissan Leaf SV | All-electric | $37,288 | $35,596 | ||||||
| Chevrolet Volt | Plug-in hybrid | $44,176 | $40,800 | ||||||
| Average Conventional | Gasoline | $44,949 | $46,561 | ||||||
| Average Hybrid | Gasoline-electric hybrid | $44,325 | $45,416 | ||||||
| Notes: Costs are based on a gasoline price of $3.64 per gallon, an electricity rate of $0.12/kWh, and a vehicle lifetime of 150,000 miles. The average conventional car was constructed by averaging of Honda Civic EX, Chevrolet Cruze LTZ, Ford Focus Titanium, and Volkswagen Passat. The average hybrid car was constructed from Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE, and Toyota Prius IV. | |||||||||
Environmental footprint[edit]
In February 2014, the Automotive Science Group (ASG) published the result of a study conducted to assess the life-cycle of over 1,300 automobiles across nine categories sold in North America. The study found that among advanced automotive technologies, the Nissan Leaf holds the smallest life-cycle environmental footprint of any model year 2014 automobile available in the North American market with minimum four person occupancy. The study concluded that the increased environmental impacts of manufacturing the battery electric technology is more than offset with increased environmental performance during operational life. For the assessment, the study used the average electricity mix of the U.S. grid in 2014.[77][78]
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