You probably heard that Nissan LEAF is already available here in the country right? If you are not yet familiar with this vehicle, it’s actually not a petrol-based engine but a 100% electric car.
Yes you read it right! Its the first (I believe) in the country to have an EV and this is your chance to drive one.
However, you may also notice that this particular vehicle is nowhere to be found in the busy streets of Manila. Why?
In this blog post, I’ll discuss some of the best features this EV can offer and why Filipinos are not yet buying this gorgeous car.
Nissan LEAF Top of the Line Features
One of Nissan’s premier vehicle, the Nissan Leaf is a 100% electric vehicle with zero emission. This rival other Japanese car manufacturers that are now producing their own hybrid and electric vehicles.
Built with an electric motor that is capable of producing 150PS and 320NM of torque, with a driving range of 311KM in one full charge. That is quite a long driving range compared to other EVs out there. This vehicle has 40KWH lithium-ion battery.
Nissan Leaf is bolstered with Nissan Intelligent Mobility, an automotive features that gives advanced tech to give you a better driving experience. This include the following features:
- Around view monitor
- Intelligent emergency braking
- E-pedal
- Intelligent cruise control
- Hill start assist
- Lane intervention and lane departure warning
Since this is an electric car, how does charging work? According to Nissan Philippines, you can charge the Nissan Leaf hassle-free at home or on the go for your convenience.
Charge it like your mobile phone! Just plug it into a standard 220V power source with a dedicated socket, or you may opt to use a wall-box charger (not included in car purchase) for faster charging of about 7.5 hours.
How about if you are on the road? Well, quick charging stations are available in select locations in the country. Plus, various Nissan dealerships offer Quick Charging Stations and Wall Box Charging Stations. These quick chargers can charge Nissan Leaf from low battery indicator to 80% in just 40 minutes.
If you are worried about getting less mileage from this car, then you can utilize some of its battery-saving modes to give you more driving range.
First if the Eco Mode. Like other combustion engines, EVs also have economy mode to save you more energy when driving.
The eco mode in Nissan Leaf limits the motor output to save energy while slightly increasing regenerative braking to help boost your range.
Aside from Eco mode, this EV also have B mode for recovery braking energy. So what is this B mode all about? B mode delivers more regenerative braking , which helps charge the battery without compromising on driving power.
Nissan Leaf also gives exceptional comfort and convenience. First, it has automatic climate control system, which lets you dial in your perfect temperature, especially in a blistering hot or cold weather. The system adjusts accordingly to maintain your ideal level of air-conditioned comfort.
Like other Nissan vehicles, the LEAF also comes with zero gravity seats. The seats are designed to support your pelvis to the chest, along with seat cushions that flex in response to your unique pressure points.
This car also comes with a D-shaped steering wheel which gives the car a sportier look. Plus, Nissan Leaf comes with a keyless entry and push button engine start/stop system.
How about safety?
The Nissan Leaf has six airbags, which helps you keep safe in the event of an accident. It also has vehicle dynamic control (VDC), which monitors your braking and steering. It automatically compensates for oversteer by reducing engine speed and/or apply brake pressure to a specific wheel. This car also has traction control system.
This electric vehicle also has smart braking which detects extra weight in the back and adjusts the rear brakes accordingly. It also provides additional pedal pressure when the brake assist senses an emergency. Nissan Leaf also activates anti-lock braking system and electronic brake force distribution more effectively.
Nissan LEAF also has a versatile cargo space that is flexible for all your needs. It has a 60/40 split rear seats which gives an impressive amount of cargo space. It can fit one full size mountain bike or four golf bag luggage.
It also boasts of spacious interior which gives rear passengers plenty of legroom. This makes every journey more joyful and comfortable.
And of course, an electric vehicle costs less when it comes to maintenance compared to petrol-based engines. So no more messy oil changes for you!
So is Nissan LEAF an Ideal Car for Filipinos?
Technically, this is absolutely a beast and every Filipino should have one! However, there are some issues that I would like to address which I believe the reason why this car isn’t heavily patronized yet in the Philippines.
First is the price! The current price of Nissan LEAF is at 2,798,000 Philippine Pesos (about 54,000USD), which is probably the utmost reason why people isn’t buying this beautiful car. For practicality reasons and since we are in a pandemic, people are just too poor to afford this price range at this time.
Second is the fear of getting out of battery on the road. Filipinos are not yet accustomed to electric vehicles unlike other rich countries that are already used to own EVs.
For EVs, you wouldn’t mind running out of fuel, but you will be paranoid from running out of battery.
Yes you can charge the car on the go, but there are still no on the go charging stations available besides Nissan dealerships. And if you are going on a long haul, say driving to Visayas, EVs not really an ideal long trip car.
Third is probably the popularity of crossovers and big SUVs in the Philippines. With that price range, you can already buy a top of the line pick up truck that is much more reliable on and off road. SUV sales in the Philippines reached an all time high, even overtaking the popular sedan Toyota Vios in sales last year.
This means that owning a car in this point in time is not that appealing compared to 20 years ago.
But if you have the money and you would like to have a different breed of vehicle, then Nissan LEAF is one of the best EVs out there that you can buy. It’s a 100% electric vehicle with completely zero emissions.
It’s a perfect car for a modern world.
But is this car really worth the money? You are the only one to answer that question! After all, if you really want the Nissan LEAF, who can stop you from buying it?
Head on to your nearest Nissan dealership and inquire about this gorgeous and powerful electric vehicle.
Image Credits:
Nissan LEAF
https://www.nissan.ph/vehicles/new/leaf.html
