The Leaf

Today was the first day I've seen a Nissan Leaf on the road.  I was cruising along in the EV Z3 when I saw it approach from the other direction.  I recognized it as a Leaf right away, but had second thoughts because I didn't think they'd be available for sale just yet.  I figured it must be a Versa, which is the same platform.

But it had that unmistakable trapezoidal door on the front bumper where the charging receptacles are hidden.  As it passed I looked back and it had new car plates on it.  Sure enough, it was a Leaf.  I thought how cools is that, two electric cars passing each other on the busy streets of Phoenix.  Of course the driver of the Leaf had no idea there was another electric car anywhere nearby. 

I've actually signed up to go test drive a Leaf on December 3rd.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm eager to see how they packaged the whole thing and how well it drives.  I'm sure it will be just fine.  I really do hope Nissan sells a bunch of these cars.  I really hope that every other manufacturer sells thousands of the EVs they're each planning for the future.  It's going to be fun to ask the salesman about the car.  I hope they have someone there who really knows what he or she is talking about and can give me real data on the car.  We shall see.  I have no intention of buying one at this time.  After all I already own an EV.

As I drove past the Leaf, I couldn't help think to compare the only two EVs in what was very likely a several mile radius.  The Leaf was designed from the ground up as an EV and was built by professionals.  It's likely to be relatively free of problems and will come with a sweet warranty.  It will travel around 100 miles per charge and has A/C. 

By comparison, the Z3 was stuck together by some hack in a garage.  It has no warranty, and can only go 60 miles on a charge.  Plus it currently has no A/C, and won't until that same hack gets off his butt and does something about it.  But I ask you.  Which one would you rather drive?  I knew unequivocally what my answer was as I drove by.