As you may have seen earlier this week, I’ve been a proud owner of a 2011 Nissan Leaf since late last month. Today marks ten days since we took delivery.
We’ve already shared the five things that we hate about the 2011 Leaf, so now it’s time to share the things we really like.
Level 3 Fast Charging Is a Game-Changer
Remember the days when an electric car took all day to recharge? So do we.
At the top of our favorite list is the ultra-fast charge option on SL models. Capable of charging the Leaf from empty to 80% full, or 50-100% full in less than 30 minutes, it revolutionizes the way the Leaf can be driven.
That is, if you happen to live near any $20,000 level 3 fast chargers. With so few in the wild, the bonus of ultra-fast charging is one that not every Leaf owner gets to share.
Admittedly, Nissan warns against excessive use of its fast chargers, but for those who need the occasional fast-charge to make longer trips possible we can’t fault the system and wish it came standard of every electric car.
Fast Charging 2011 Nissan Leaf
Fast Charging 2011 Nissan Leaf
Enlarge Photo
Road Noise Really is Minimal
It’s easy to speed in the 2011 Nissan Leaf, not because of its 80 kilowatt motor, but because of the just how quiet the car is at speed.
Part of the Leaf’s low noise comes from the obvious lack of an internal combustion engine, but looking beyond that the specially designed windshield wipers, headlamps and wing mirrors all help to reduce the wind noise the Leaf creates driving along.
The net result is a car which is calming to drive and which encourages energy efficient driving.
Smooth, Instant Power Delivery
Thanks to the lack of conventional gearbox, the 2011 Nissan Leaf accelerates smoothly from standstill, enabling quick getaways off the stop light and instant torque for overtaking maneuvers.
Unlike the lag present on hybrids like the 2011 Toyota Prius, the throttle response is instantaneous, meaning you’re never left in a sticky situation without the power to get out of it.
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