mctca
Member
We live in NJ & we LEASED our 2012 LEAF in September. We now have 3000+ miles on the vehicle. We begin do research on the LEAF before it was in the US. All advertisements for the vehicle were for 100+ miles/charge. We test drove the LEAF & were told the same thing. Dealers verified the same information, but I found that most dealers new nothing about the vehicle. When we first started using the vehicle our range was very low 45 to 50 miles/charge. What we learned was that you cannot drive this vehicle like a normal gasoline vehicle.
Things we have learned
1) Never use the Heat or AC ( we new this & we never did, during the winter it was in the 20's, we were never in the vehicle that long to be concerned)
2) This vehicle is for LOCAL use only. There is ONE charging station in NJ, other than Nissan dealers.
3) Our average speed in the vehicle per charge is 18-24mph, if you drive it fast your range will decrease very quickly.
4) If the vehicle encounters an INCLINE the range is effected very quickly, on a HILL forget it!
5) Never use the ECCO mode, it never helped improve the range. You will do better by using pedal management.
Using all of the above we have improved our range to 70+ miles/charge. That is the EPA average, no one ever mentioned the EPA average when we were shopping, especially the dealer. Every time we asked the range question it was 100+ miles. I believe I might be able to get 100 miles/charge if I lived in an area where there were no INCLINES.
At present the only EV that can meet normal driving requirements is the TESLA, thats if you want to spend $70,000 to $100,000.
For Northeast drivers it should be buyer beware. The LEAF is strictly a local vehicle
You might ask why we leased the vehicle if we are so critical. We switched from a PRIUS which was very uncomfortable to drive. For me the LEAF is roomy there is not much I don't like about. The exterior & interior are great, I just can't get around the range issues & the fact that it was advertised as 100+ miles/charge. My hope is that by the time my lease is over the range will have improved & of course that we get some charging stations in the Northeast.
Things we have learned
1) Never use the Heat or AC ( we new this & we never did, during the winter it was in the 20's, we were never in the vehicle that long to be concerned)
2) This vehicle is for LOCAL use only. There is ONE charging station in NJ, other than Nissan dealers.
3) Our average speed in the vehicle per charge is 18-24mph, if you drive it fast your range will decrease very quickly.
4) If the vehicle encounters an INCLINE the range is effected very quickly, on a HILL forget it!
5) Never use the ECCO mode, it never helped improve the range. You will do better by using pedal management.
Using all of the above we have improved our range to 70+ miles/charge. That is the EPA average, no one ever mentioned the EPA average when we were shopping, especially the dealer. Every time we asked the range question it was 100+ miles. I believe I might be able to get 100 miles/charge if I lived in an area where there were no INCLINES.
At present the only EV that can meet normal driving requirements is the TESLA, thats if you want to spend $70,000 to $100,000.
For Northeast drivers it should be buyer beware. The LEAF is strictly a local vehicle
You might ask why we leased the vehicle if we are so critical. We switched from a PRIUS which was very uncomfortable to drive. For me the LEAF is roomy there is not much I don't like about. The exterior & interior are great, I just can't get around the range issues & the fact that it was advertised as 100+ miles/charge. My hope is that by the time my lease is over the range will have improved & of course that we get some charging stations in the Northeast.