Nissan LEAF Tekna 2016 electric car owner review

Tony Richardson drives a Nissan LEAF Tekna 24kWh 2016, standard specification.

This is Tony’s first electric car, he’s owned the Nissan LEAF 1-2 years and drives under 5,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 30,000-40,000 miles and he achieves 80 miles range from an 80% charge.

Why did you choose the Nissan LEAF?

Was keen to go electric due to driving locally most of the time and doing very little mileage per year. Also because my previous car was diesel.

Positives

Easy
cheap
comfortable to drive.

Negatives

Not keen on the rather clumsy looking rear end, think it spoils the look of an otherwise reasonable looking car.

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

Yes, in fact sometimes the range is better than previously!

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

Not long after buying the car the driver’s door stopped opening using the fob or pressing the door button, it would only open from inside. It turned out to be a failed transmitter/receiver in the car’s electronics, which cost £400+ to be repaired at the local Nissan dealer.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

Probably when new the technical features of the LEAF were cutting edge but by today’s standards they are a bit dated and old hat.

Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about your electric car

Again, by today’s standards nothing is startling or special. Although I really like the infotainment unit.

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

That they are too heavy for UK roads and that there is nowhere to charge them.

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

Really like the new range from KIA & Hyundai.

Electricity supplier & tariff

Intelligent Octopus Go

Do you use public charging networks?

Insurance

Tesco – this the first year I’ve used Tesco, all good so far.

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

Road tax is cheaper, it’s cheaper to charge each month than buying fuel for a diesel car. So far, the servicing seems cheaper too and the servicing plan with Nissan is cheaper per month than my previous cars.