The Nissan Leaf, made up the road in Smyrna, Tenn., keeps humming right along.
For those with Tesla tastes but a modest budget, the Leaf all-electric vehicle is a good compromise. Although prices for Leafs (or is it Leaves?) can easily top $30,000, generous federal tax credits ($7,500) and the promise of never having to buy a drop of gas mitigate the cost considerably.
Our tester this week is a Gun Metallic Leaf in top SL trim provided by Kevin Pierce, new car manager at Nissan of Chattanooga East. It's a smart-looking little car with wide-eyed head-lamps and sharp, machine-cut alloy wheels. The dark gray exterior and black leather upholstery also add a spritz of testosterone.
Driving the Leaf can never be compared to the other-worldly acceleration of the Tesla Model S, but as a commute-mobile it's actually kind of fun to drive. Off the mark acceleration is spirited, and Edmunds.com reports a 0-60 mph time of 9.9 seconds, fast enough to keep you from white-knuckling when merging onto an expressway.
The Nissan Leaf will never need a drop of gasolineFast facts
Model: 2015 Nissan Leaf SLExterior color: Gun Metallic Interior color: BlackEngine: 80 kW AC Synchronous Motor Horsepower: 107 Transmission: Single Speed Constant Ratio Fuel economy: 114 mpg-e Dealer: Nissan of Chattanooga East Price (as tested): $36,340 (before tax credits)
The knock on EVs is their limited road range. Unlike hybrids, which combine electric motors with conventional gas-powered engines, the Leaf depends on electric current stored in its Lithium-ion battery. The car can travel about 84 miles on a full battery charge.
Prices for the Leaf range from $29,010 for a base, S model to $35,120 for a top-of-the-line SL model like our tester, which has a sticker price of $36,340 after adding floor mats, splash guards and destination charges. Competitors in this EV class include the Chevrolet Spark and Ford Focus Electric.
FEATURES AND STYLING
The wedge-shaped Leaf is a creature of the wind tunnel, with every subtle fold in the sheet metal designed to help it cut drag and increase range. Swept headlamp assemblies that stretch from the front bumper to the windshield are the Leaf's defining design feature, giving it a futuristic face. From the A-pillar back, the Leaf looks more or less like a traditional hatchback with a big, airy cabin and a handy rear liftgate for loading gear.
Inside, hip and shoulder room are generous and outward visibility is first-rate. For a car so technically advanced, there aren't a lot of switches and buttons to master, which is a good thing. Simplicity seems to be the design theme for the interior.
Leaf owners will find the car surprisingly roomy, with plenty of back-seat leg room. The seats, front and back, are among the most comfortable we've ever experienced in this price class.
Among the fancy features in our tester are navigation, a rear-view monitor, six-speaker audio system, Sirius Satellite radio, fog lights, heated mirrors, hands-free text messaging, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Leaf is powered by a 80kW synchronous motor that makes 107 horsepower. While that may sound low, electric motors deliver torque on command so the Leaf is more powerful than the modest horsepower rating would lead you to believe. It takes about four hours on a 240-volt electric outlet to fully recharge a Leaf, although special equipment can be purchased to lower the time it takes to recharge to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
On our test drive down Amnicola Highway and around the Riverwalk the quiet-running Leaf was a joy to pilot through urban traffic. The hushed ride is relaxing and when the electric motor powers up it creates a muted, jet-engine sound that reminds you there is no internal combustion engine under the hood.
The big alloys give the Leaf some visual presence without stiffening the ride. The stubby little shifter has only three modes: drive, park and reverse. It takes some getting used to because your pull back to engage "drive" and push forward to put the car into "reverse," seem a bit counterintuitive.
The Leaf has a digital gauge that counts down the miles to a depleted battery, so it's best to always know how far you are from home if the battery is low. There are about 40 public charging stations for EVs in the Chattanooga area clustered in the downtown area and outlying shopping malls.
BOTTOM LINE
The government estimates that the Leaf's energy efficiency is the equivalent of 114 miles per gallon of gas; which is a triumph of technology. For those who need a commuter car without a ton of range, the Leaf is a solid, zero-emissions investment.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.