Sales of the fully electric vehicles around the world has exponentially increased 23-fold in the past five years and many folks nowadays are seriously considering about getting an EV of their own as their next of even first car. For those who have been misinformed about the ownership of owning EV, Nissan and ETCM (Edaran Tan Chong Motor) are here to help clarify a few things.
According to Yutaka Sanada, Regional Senior Vice President for Nissan Asia & Oceania, “Across the region, we consistently hear that people love the idea of EVs but many may not fully understand how EVs fit into their lifestyles or the usage basics. As the world’s first automotive manufacturer to produce a mass-market 100-percent electric vehicle, with more than 70-years expertise in this form of automotive technology, we wanted to help promote awareness around this topic.”
The most common questions surrounding EVs and myths are charging, range, driving and ownership, and today, Nissan together with ETCM are here to share more knowledge about EVs.
Charging an EV
There are many different options to charge EVs but the upcoming Nissan LEAF uses a 6.6kW Wall Box Charger that are significantly faster than the standard outlet charging (which may take up to 13 hours). Nissan’s wall unit only take half that time to get their EV fully charged, which makes the Nissan LEAF a great option for everyday use.
If you happen to have a 50kW CHAdeMO Quick Charger, then all you need is just 60 minutes to get its batteries fully charged. This is getting more and more available at shopping malls, offices, and highway rest areas. So, when it comes to the convenience of owning an EV, charging has been drastically improved for the past few years.
EV Range
When EV was first introduced, they had great potential for a greener Earth but very poor driving range. Major manufacturers like Nissan have be going non-stop at this particular development and now, most EVs can travel way over 100km in a single charge (which is more than enough considering that most drivers in Southeast Asia drives less than 80km a day).
With the new Nissan LEAF which is going to be officially launched here in Malaysia very soon, this bad boy comes with a huge 40kWh lithium-ion battery which as the ability to travel an average of 311km when fully charged. That’s from KL to Penang without using a single drop of petrol.
EV Driving Experience
Most folks still believe that EVs don’t have the power that they crave. While most electric cars are solely focused on providing a safe and clean driving experience, there are a number of options out there that do provide exhilaration in their concoction of electric goodness as well.
The standard Nissan LEAF is able to produce close to 150hp and 320Nm of torque (which is more than some petrol-powered options available here in Malaysia). This translates to a top speed of 150km/h and only 7.9 seconds needed to reach 100km/h from a standstill.
EV Ownership
Forget what everyone has been telling you about the struggles of owning electric vehicles because with the power of modern development, EVs is now cheaper and easier to maintain than ever. Maintenance and service costs are also considerably lower for EVs as the Nissan LEAF only requires service maintenance every 20,000km, which also translates to less inconvenience and more time for yourself.
Worried about space for your friends and family? EVs nowadays offer great cabin room and with the upcoming Nissan LEAF, you will even get 435 litres of boot space in the back. It also has the ability to carry five adults comfortably and that says a lot for the world of EV here in the country.
“The Nissan LEAF is designed for the new-generation driver – the eco-conscious performance enthusiast. Becoming the top-selling EV in the world is a testament to how this car has exceeded drivers’ expectations. Nissan will continue to transform the way vehicles are driven, powered, and integrated, adding greater value and paving the way to cities of the future.” added Mr Yutaka Sanada.
Stay tuned to Piston.My as we wait for the official launch of the new Nissan LEAF here in Malaysia. Hold on to your hats, folks. Things are about to get ‘electrifying’.
