I think the Nissan Leaf is a step in the right direction, on
account of being a zero emission electric car. Strictly speaking, ‘zero
emission’ is incorrect, in that the electricity for powering the car does not
come about without emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere through the production
of electricity in the first place. The car itself does not emit CO2 or other
pollutants, but the production of electricity for charging the car’s lithium
ion batteries does – even so-called eco-friendly solar or wind powered
generated electricity is not emission free, because of the manufacture of the
solar panels and wind turbines.
Despite these drawbacks, the overall pollution brought about
by the manufacture and use of electric vehicles must be less than their
petroleum and diesel counterparts. The big practical disadvantage of electric vehicles
is their limited range, as is the case with the Nissan Leaf, which at best can
only achieve 100 miles on a full charge. Charging via a domestic circuit can
take up to eight or nine hours. At public charging points the time is
considerably reduced; it is claimed an eighty percent charge can be done in
about thirty minutes.
Electric cars perform as well as petroleum and diesel cars
with one exception, that’s their limited range of about 100 miles, and until
that limitation has been overcome, they will never be as popular. Another disincentive for buying one is the cost:
a Visia at £16,490, an Acenta at £18,490, and a Tekna at £20,490.
Links
Nissan Leaf Review
Nissan Leaf Prices, Models and Equipment
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power
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