Ode to the Nissan Leaf

This story first appeared in the november issue of evtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

EV dealers and advocates are singing the praises of the iconic Nissan Leaf which celebrates 10 years in production in 2020.

The Leaf is a compact five-door hatchback EV introduced in Japan and the US in December 2010, and has been the world’s first mass produced EV and also the best-selling plug-in for many years, global sales exceeding 400,000.

And it has won a string of awards befitting a car dubbed the Leading Environmentally-friendly Affordable Family Car (Leaf).

The Leaf has been popular in New Zealand as a secondhand import from Japan and the United Kingdom, dominating EV sales for years.

Price is a big factor here, subsidies in Japan and the United Kingdom making right-hand drive versions more affordable for Kiwis, EV dealers specialising in the Leaf say.

“The Leaf has been the leader in New Zealand for EVs,” says Martin Harwood of Harwood Cars in Auckland.

“It’s one of the easiest cars to drive and among the most dependable with the least problems.”
Harwood says the key reason for the huge uptake of Leafs in New Zealand is price – “primarily because it’s so affordable for most people”.

Fuel, tax and maintenance savings have also contributed, making it up to 10 times cheaper to run than its internal combustion engine (ICE) equivalent.

“And the Leaf just keeps getting better,” Harwood says.

“The power, the ride, the range, safety features and technology like the e-Pedal – it’s amazing.”
Henry Schmidt of Autolink Cars in Auckland has been specialising in mainly Leafs at his EV dealership for more than five years.

He says Leaf prices can be as low as $12,000 to $13,000, whereas perhaps a year ago they might have been selling for $16,000 or $17,000.

“We’ve got the Japanese taxpayer to thank for these cars as the subsidies they pay mean we can get the Leaf here cheaply.”

“Five years ago when we started in EVs, people were laughing and saying it’s just a fad.I said it’s the beginning of a new business.Now car dealers will have to modify or get out.”

Schmidt says the automotive industry is now at a crossroads and that more change is coming, particularly with 5G allowing improvements in autonomous vehicles and the likelihood of reduced car ownership with car sharing and other transport forms.

EV marketing and sales manager Sarah Ryan says she switched to a 24kWh Leaf a few years ago and now drives a 30kWh with a body kit and other refinements.

Ryan drives her Leaf under about 50km daily, usually from her Auckland home to work and also to drop off children.

She cannot charge at her home but says she only needs to charge up every two or three days.

“It’s peaceful, relaxing – I like getting in the car at the end of the day and have no noise and no rattling,” she says.“I’d never go back .”

Not just the quietness appeals.Ryan reckons she saves about $100 a week on fuel.

The fuel saving of between $220 and $250 weekly also appeals to Leaf owner Steven Sevele of Mangere in Auckland, who bought his EV a few months ago.

“They’re beautiful cars to drive,” he adds.

Sevele reckons low income households would be better advised to make the switch to save themselves money in the long run.

He aims to promote EVs like the Leaf to his Tongan community.

Schmidt says he’d love to set up an EV education stand in a South Auckland shopping centre to advise people of the benefits, but says he would probably need some Government assistance to do so.

He sees the car dealership situation changing in New Zealand, and indeed globally, within the next five years to resemble more a Tesla-type showroom as people move increasingly to online engagement.

Car yards also take up valuable space in city centres and are likely to be used for other purposes such as apartments, Schmidt says.

He believes Nissan will adapt the Leaf or something similar to autonomous driving, as he expects the Leaf (or a version of it) to be around possibly for another 10 years.

Auckland City Electric Vehicles general manager Hadley Hargadon says the Leaf is New Zealand’s most popular EV because of its reliability and price.

“We are seeing a lot of 24kWh and 30kWh Leaf owners upgrading now to 40kWh cars.”

The Nissan Leaf in October this year topped a Consumer survey for reliability, taking the title “overall best model” from 94 models across 19 makes in New Zealand.

Owners of 9736 cars were also asked and revealed what faults they’d had with their car in the past year and how satisfied with it they were.

In the medium car reliability category, 89% opted for the Leaf.

Not just petrol savings were highlighted, as owners also said they were very satisfied with the car’s comfort, driving performance and safety features.

Just 1% spent more than $500 on unscheduled repairs in the year.

Meanwhile, interest is keen in the new Nissan Leaf which went on sale at 29 dealers nationwide from August 16, priced at $59,990 plus on road coasts which makes it one of the most affordable new EVs on the New Zealand market.

“As the pioneer of electric vehicles globally, the new fully electric Nissan Leaf represents the future of New Zealand motoring,” Nissan New Zealand managing director John Manley says.

The 40kWh Leaf has a 270km range and a five-star ANCAP safety rating and can act as a mobile power source, expected to soon plug in to New Zealand homes and businesses through bi-directional charging.

Dave Boot of EV City in Christchurch brought probably the first Leaf e+ into New Zealand, which was included in the Electrifying Conversations road trip (see P12) and has a 62kWh battery with 363km range.

“We had no fear of running out, even though it carried three people and their luggage, and we drove it all the way to Christchurch – more than 2000km,” he says.

Another had been ordered.

“The Nissan Leaf is the backbone of the EV industry in New Zealand,” Boot says.

“It has a rosy future.”