Steve drives a Nissan LEAF e+ N-Connecta 2021.

This is Steve’s fifth electric car, he’s owned the Nissan LEAF 2-3 years and drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 10,000-20,000 miles and he achieves 190 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Nisan LEAF?

After a week-long test drive to see if the LEAF was suitable, I bought one! I used to commute to Cambridge – 15 miles that took over an hour! The EV was so much easier and cheaper to use for this that the extra cost was more than made up by the savings. Also, the drive is nicer, smoother and more pleasant than in an ICE car. Performance is much better than an equivalent ICE car too.

Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

• Quiet
• fast
• economical.

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

• Rapid Charging (away from home) – the LEAF is CHAdeMO which although better is being pushed out for another standard
• cost – over inflated, artificially high prices for a car
• idiots – LOTS of idiots always trying to make out EVs aren’t good just for social media clicks.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

Drive shafts on the newer LEAF (ZE1) are an issue that isn’t ever resolved, only made quiet with grease. I had poor build quality on air bag mountings which required welding on the body. The original LEAF (ZE0) is what I have (2011) and although has a poor battery, is now the most reliable and well-built thing ever. It is the later models that have been a let down.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

The 2011 LEAF had LED lights, reversing camera, cruise control and the usual ABS, ESP etc which was pretty much what a luxury car in 2011 had. The new LEAF has lane assist (horrible), emergency braking (DREADFUL), all-round cameras, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and the usual ABS ESP etc. It also has heated seats and steering wheel which is a great comfort feature in England!

The LEAF has had bluetooth connection to audio and phone kit from day one and has only added DAB to the audio system. The in-car entertainment is very good and the features on the car are on a par with much more highly specified ICE cars. The climate control on the LEAF is excellent and went to heat pumps before many other manufacturers. It’s a shame the traction battery never gained temperature control but the car is old technology now and is due a replacement, especially as it is a CHADEMO charging car and not CCS.

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

The LEAF has delighted me for quite awhile or I wouldn’t have had 5! In 2017, my 2011 LEAF took me to the win at the Santa Pod Festival of Power in the Sportsman ET Class. It also took the 2018 Street Run Championship in France. The 2021 LEAF runs 15.2 seconds at Santa Pod which is easily as fast as other vehicles of an equivalent price. The LEAF is not only a great little road car but has good sporting credentials too.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

Not sure at the moment as I’m not happy with the Nissan offering. Maybe a Hyundai or KIA? I have driven a Tesla and although very fast, the controls leave me wondering what they are thinking! Everything is accessed via the central screen when a simple stalk fixes the issue.

Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements

I started with a tethered Pod Point EVSE which was brilliant and did what it said on the tin. I now have an untethered Rolec unit which is neater, tidier and unobtrusive compared to the Pod Point. I use untethered due to the 2 LEAFs (1 x type 2 & 1 x type 1 connection). I have added a wi-fi switch to control the unit so it is semi-smart and have had no issues with it unlike other users of the Rolec. However, the internet is only used for complaints it seems and never anything good! Neither of the units are considered smart which suits me but then I’ve had the units since 2016 and 2018.

Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements 

My current provider is Shell and I have NOTHING good to say about them. They have no EV tariffs they’re willing to share with me and have me on their most expensive fuel tariff. I was forced to these when my last provider went bust.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

Osprey as they work and are near places to eat. They also have good charging connections and work. None of the public charging is cheap but it is frequently convenient. I’ve never had issues with Ecotricity and now GRIDSERVE have taken over they’ve removed over half of the CHAdeMO connections leaving me regularly with long waits to charge while others with CCS had come and gone. Public charging needs to be sorted out and the days of politely waiting your turn have gone now as there are sales and management types with EVs these days.

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements 

I’ve found lots of negatives on insuring an EV due to the ridiculous ‘facts’ being bandied about and the dodgy practices of car manufacturers and repairers, let alone the insurance companies themselves. I am currently with ‘esure flex’ as my old insurance broker PF Spare encouraged me to try elsewhere as they could not be competitive anymore.

I was given a price for insurance of over £1,000 on a Nissan LEAF with low mileage and 15 years no claims bonus! Which is stupid at best. I am currently paying £300 which is again silly when I was only paying £200 last year! MOST EVs are basically the same as an ICE version of a car from a manufacturer so accident repair is NOT more expensive or more difficult, most of the time! Again, it seems stupid comments on social media are being used to push up prices.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a Nissan LEAF

No petrol/diesel costs anymore, only electric. £50 per month as opposed to £250 per month. Servicing is much cheaper. Road tax at the moment is cheaper. My lease is more expensive as I previously ran quite an old car and had no lease costs. However, running a LEAF is much cheaper servicing and parts-wise than a diesel.

See other Nissan LEAF Owner Reviews here