It's just over a week since the Leaf landed. I am very pleased that we beat the largest lease company in the UK to get ours on the road - if only by a week.
So far the range has not proved to be a major barrier - closest moment on range was earlier in the week when it got down to showing 8 miles as I arrived home after a day zipping across the Thames Valley. Although a trip to Manchester demanded that I get back in my E class for a day.
When driven hard ( and I cannot publish how fast it went but it was pretty quick ) and uphill on the A404 up to High Wycombe the range of the Leaf drops off at a rate of a mile every 300 yards. The acceleration is really very impressive in normal drive mode with bags of torque. I think total range if driven this hard would be well under 50 miles.
If driven as intended and using the ECO Drive option 110miles actually works without the Aircon on. I found that I use the normal drive like a boost button and then settle back to ECo for most driving.
I have only charged 3 times and used it daily. Being an old motor trade laggard has lead my colleagues to run a book on how long the habit of “running on red" gets me into trouble. Some habits die hard even when it only costs £1.45 to fill it up!!!
We have now agreed the first of a series of trials with Local Authorities and Inner city service providers (some parking wardens) to see how this really works in a business application. I have to say the reception is pretty enthusiastic from nearly everyone I meet with it - the automotive equivalent of having a cute puppy.
Overall now the novelty of the milkfloat soundtrack has passed it just feels like a regular car - albeit a quick petrol auto - which you don't get to drive that often these days in this segment of car.
Today the Leaf is getting some graphics applied so I'll post some pics once we have it back.
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