2011 Nissan Leaf - first mass produced pure electric zero emission car

[Kal-El]

Did a search and I'm surprised it hasn't been posted yet.

Anyone interested in this vehicle? Will be on sale later in the year.

100 miles on a charge. Seating for 5. Priced comparatively to a well equipped compact.

I personally think the car is ugly. It's unfortunate Nissan couldn't make it more attractive. Could be worse I guess.

Still though, it's a nice first step in the pure electric market. Even though it's considered "zero" emission, it's technically not when considering where electricity is generally made. Although nuclear generated electricity is truly zero emission.

Share your thoughts.

[ezhacker1]

well the inside is definitely futuristic

[SilverBack]

Interior looks decent. Some of the exterior details could use one more redesign before going into production IMO

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Although nuclear generated electricity is truly zero emission.

Nuclear power is not zero emission. The highly toxic and radioactive emissions and residuals are captured and stored locally for generations as there's nowhere else to put it. Even the people that get their power from nuclear plants don't want the byproducts stored anywhere near their region.

Aside from that uranium and its cousins are highly finite and non-renewable materials. It's a dead end with barely-contained devastating aftereffects.

I'm all for EVs, and Nissan's Leaf is a great start, but please refrain from pimping nuclear energy in the same breath.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by BailOut

Nuclear power is not zero emission. The highly toxic and radioactive emissions and residuals are captured and stored locally for generations as there's nowhere else to put it. Even the people that get their power from nuclear plants don't want the byproducts stored anywhere near their region.

Aside from that uranium and its cousins are highly finite and non-renewable materials. It's a dead end with barely-contained devastating aftereffects.

I'm all for EVs, and Nissan's Leaf is a great start, but please refrain from pimping nuclear energy in the same breath.

But you're OK with coal plants? A lot of people seem to forget where electricity comes from when they make the push for electric cars. The pollution is still being generated even if it's not coming directly from the car.

[why?]

nuclear is a start in the right direction, plus there is a reason it is becoming the main power source of a lot of first world countries whose leaders aren't cowards.

[supmet]

Originally Posted by BailOut

Nuclear power is not zero emission. The highly toxic and radioactive emissions and residuals are captured and stored locally for generations as there's nowhere else to put it.

Emit:

1 a : to throw or give off or out (as light or heat) b : to send out : eject

So if something is "captured and stored", its not really emitted, is it?

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by supmet

Emit:

1 a : to throw or give off or out (as light or heat) b : to send out : eject

So if something is "captured and stored", its not really emitted, is it?

True. Fact is, nuclear power plants run "clean" in that they don't emit any pollutants into the air. Yeah, there is waste in the end but it can be responsibily recycled or stored safely. If we are going to embrace electric cars in mass volume, we'll have to also embrace the idea of nuclear expansion.

[cali yaris]

I like the Leaf. I wonder how much performance and range would be improved if it were stripped and outfitted with super light wheels, etc.?

[Kal-El]

The other thing I don't care for is the name either. "Leaf"? Come on.

[rytis]

I would like one

[cali yaris]

oh and about the thread title, wasn't the EV1 mass-produced?

[Thirty-Nine]

I attended a press viewing of the car last month.

http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...-portland.html

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

oh and about the thread title, wasn't the EV1 mass-produced?

Depends on how you define it, but really it wasn't. It was an experiment available on a 3 year lease to only 2 states. Customers were then forced to turn it in for destruction. The Leaf will be unlimited and sold in many countries. Plus, the Leaf is a far more practical 5 passenger car.

[Astroman]

I would need a vehicle that would get a range of 150-200 miles before I could go all-electric. Glad someone is out there giving this a real shot. Like the other thread about the all-electric yaris, up here we get hydro power that's dirt cheap and clean, along with a boost of wind and solar power. I know there will be a few of these in my area as we already have a lot of plug-in hybrids.

[cali yaris]

When I add a solar array to my house, an electric car will start to make a lot of sense. During the day, I'll be producing more electricity than I need, so why not put that extra energy into my personal transportation?

[toyo]

100 miles?

[talnlnky]

The side pic of it makes me think this car is the outcome of a Porsche and Prius having sex.

ugly car.... make it a 2 or 3 seater, and give it a 150-200 mile change distance and it'd then be something worth checking out.


question??? why does the engine compartment have to be soo big? Whats it used for? a second trunk?