What is it: François explains the Nissan Leaf

European and global car of the year, the Nissan Leaf, the first 5-door family sedan powered by an electric motor, was delivered to its first customers- in France in France in August 2011. Fast autopsy of this Japanese woman out of theCommon, which may succeed in boosting VE sales which have not yet started in our country.

How it works ?

The Leaf is a pure electric vehicle (VE), without a range of autonomy unlike the Chevrolet Volt or the Opel Ampera.It therefore works thanks to its only electric motor (permanent magnet synchronous), only powered by the Limium-ion battery.

The latter weighs 225 kg and is housed in the center under the floor and the bench (1570mm long, 1190mm wide for a thickness of 260mm).It can store up to 24 kW/h of electricity, a quantity of energy which authorizes an autonomy of up to 175 km according to the European driving cycle tests, and approximately 150 km in practice.If the energy density (watt/hour available per kilo of battery) of the batteries currently on the market is quite variable -80 to 130 Wh/kg, with 106 Wh/kg, those of the Leaf are fair in the average, but aHigher mass yield would have led to a prohibitive sale price of the car.

Established under the hood and causing the front wheels, the alternating current engine developed by Nissan delivers a power of 80 kW (109 hp) and a torque of 280 Nm. It provides good accelerations for a vehicle of more than 1.5 tonnesempty (less than 12 seconds on the 0 to 100 km/h) and is sufficient to reach a maximum speed limited 145 km/h (already at this pace on the highway, the air conditioning, the autonomy falls toless than 100 km).All electrical elements of the car (including power electronics) are guaranteed for 5 years/100,000 km.

How do we "refuel"?

To invigorate the batteries flat from the Leaf, the slow load complete with the cable provided by Nissan on a classic 16 to 230 volt takes 7 hours.Small concern, not easy to find or have a parking lot in collective housing or work.A quick charge for 80 % of the maximum load lasts 30 minutes, but rapid recharging infrastructure on public roads are still almost non-existent in France. In 2015, nearly 80,000 terminals (slow, accelerated and fast) should be at yourarrangement throughout France.

Is it ecological?

A VE emits any dangerous pollutants for human health (nitrogen oxides, etc.).About CO2 emissions, it depends on the source of electricity production.Very well with solar, good with wind or nuclear (if we obscure the question of waste treatment) with a few grams of CO2 per kilometer, the balance remains slightly positive if the energy comes from a coal -fired power plant.

Finally, if all the vehicles produced by Nissan are recyclable at least 95 %, the manufacturer announces a ratio of 99 % the Leaf.The overall eco -friendly assessment therefore seems very positive.

Is it economical?

No more expensive than small electric city cars, the Leaf looks like a good deal.Compared to a compact diesel or hybrid nearby services (except autonomy), its price increases by a quarter (€ 30,990 bonuses of € 5,000), or around € 7,500 in addition.A sum !Admittedly, the Nissan Leaf is offered with complete equipment, with in particular air conditioning, GPS navigation, reversing camera, fast charge and an interesting on -board telematics system which allows remote connection via a smartphone or computer connected to the Internet thatAllows the launch and monitoring of the recharge, or the control of the interior temperature a few minutes before accessing on board.

Even if it has an eco fashion that reduces urban consumption by around 10 %, an efficient electric motor, and the electricity rate remains reasonable, it is necessary to count on a nearby electricity bill300 € for 15,000 kilometers (in basic EDF rate), against around € 1,200 for the diesel or hybrid equivalent.It will therefore take approximately eight years to cancel the additional purchase cost at the rate of 15,000 kilometers annual.Or less if we consider the maintenance reduced on electric vehicles.

I buy, don't I buy?

The first car is almost realistic and versatile, habitable, silent, sure and economical in use, the Nissan Leaf would tempt me despite its high purchase price in very specific conditions of use.For example, if I had 150 kilometers (or double if I had a charging station at work) to do every day of the week, including a good half in urban areas.And no more than 100 kilometers of road/highway to reach a hypothetical holiday resort on weekends.But this is not the case…

Find the previous episodes of "Watt is it ..., François explains it to you".

François explains to you ... The Fiat 500 Twinair

François explains to you ... The Tesla Roadster

François explains to you ... The Opel Insignia Turbo E85

François explains to you ... The Honda Jazz Hybrid

François explains to you ... The Lexus CT200H

Find the full test of the Nissan Leaf

Watt is it ..;François explains it to you, it is the new green section of Caradisiac in partnership with the eco-responsible community Wattisit.com which promotes soft transport in particular.