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Here we dispel the most common of these. If you still have reservations or further questions, we highly recommend talking to a Yeomans Nissan expert and experiencing the Nissan LEAF for yourself by booking a test drive.
Electric cars are slow
The Nissan LEAF instantly delivers 280Nm of torque, from a standing start. This is a faster response that a 2.5-litre V6 engine. This torque results in rapid acceleration, going from 0-60mph in less than 11.9 seconds. It boasts a top speed of more than 90mph.
Battery-powered cars have a very limited range
The average journey length in the UK is 8.4 miles. With a fully-charged battery, the Nissan LEAF runs for up to 109 miles1. And you will never be left stranded as the clever in-car technology tells you how many miles you have left on the current battery and lets you know where the nearest charging points are. In addition to this, for longer journeys the ECO mode can be chosen, which decreases the power output (perfect for cruising) and increases the usage range of the regenerative brakes. This extends the mileage without you needing to recharge the battery.
It takes a long time to recharge the battery and charging points are inconvenient
Most drivers will recharge the battery with approximately 20 percent of charge left. This means the full recharge time is only five to six hours – less time than the average working day and the average time you will sleep for in any 24-hour period. So while it undoubtedly takes longer to charge an electric vehicle than fill a tank with fuel, with charging points across the UK, in many workplaces and easily fitted at home, it's no less convenient to charge a battery. Rapid charging points also mean you can charge your battery to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
In the UK, there are currently more than 5,500 charging points, with this figure growing daily. To put this into perspective, there are around 9,0002 petrol stations in the UK. See the charging point map for more details.
Electric vehicles are more expensive to buy than petrol/diesel cars
The Nissan LEAF is the same price as an equivalent petrol engine model but it comes with the added bonus of being eligible for a £5,000 government grant, exempt from many taxes and from congestion charging in London. You can find more information on our cost of ownership page.
Electric vehicles are small, so impractical for families
The Nissan LEAF is a spacious five-seat car, designed to be spacious for all passengers and to accommodate ample luggage with a 330-litre boot.
Electric vehicles aren't as safe as other cars
The Nissan LEAF has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. This is the highest safety award available in Europe. As well as this, Nissans lithium-ion battery uses spinel-structured manganese which gives it stability and a laminate to control heat emissions. This is monitored electronically at all times and relies on robust packaging of the battery's modules to optimise safety in the event of a collision.
These cars still cause pollution
Electricity is proven to be 52 percent cleaner than petrol and diesel. In addition to this fact, scientists are working to create a cleaner grid, using alternative forms of power such as solar and wind. Not only this, but the Nissan LEAF is far more efficient than traditionally-fuelled cars, dramatically reducing overall energy consumption.
The grid can't cope with electric vehicles
This is not the case. Powering 10 million electric vehicles would only require one per cent of the annual electricity output in Europe.
Disclaimer
1. Driving range indicative only, based on the New European Driving Cycle urban driving test which is without heating or air conditioning. Actual driving range is influenced by topography, speed, driving style, heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
2. Figure is sourced from Energy Institute “UK forecourt network numbers continue to fall" press release dated 08/03/2012.