Nissan LEAF - General

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#1493296 16-Feb-2016 15:19

robjg63:

Will have to pin your hopes on the Tesla Model X then:...

I do not have detailed info about servicing Tesla Traction Battery but my understanding that it is non-serviceable. i.e. – when it gets degraded - getting one complete new pack from Tesla would be the only option. And I assume - not cheap. For Nissan Leaf pack can be re-build from donor packs.

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#1493306 16-Feb-2016 15:50

Ah that sounds to me like a business opportunity for you! (When you figure it out t)

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#1493355 16-Feb-2016 16:45

I would like to have a leaf for the around town family car, I would be looking low k second hand not new.

I can't see how you could justify it financially. However. there is almost no maintenance, low rego, can charge offset from PV solar generated at home, so great environmental and feel good gain.

My personal commuting choice is a $2000 electric bike.

Linuxluver

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#1493375 16-Feb-2016 18:04

richms:

Linuxluver:

Though it is worth noting the exemptions from RUCs applies to the life of the vehicle and the owner benefits,

Has the govt actually committed to that? I thought it was just zero rated at the moment because there were so few it wasnt worth figuring out how to charge it.

Simon Bridges (Min of Transport) is "considering measures to support and encourage the uptake of electric cars in New Zealand" as of last Friday......but no details so far and he's been saying that for months. Might come out in the Budget.

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Linuxluver

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#1493379 16-Feb-2016 18:08

MikeAqua:

$40k? For a tiny little car. Wow.

A recent study (looking for the link) showed that the Leaf's running costs across 3 years are half that of comparable cars. Like $24,000 vs $42,000 (IIRC). So it would be more appropriate to compare it to a 2-3 year old compact 4-door that cost $20,000.....which is a good deal depending on what vehicle / maker you're talking about. The Leaf is supposedly well appointed. Not a payless-plastics fest inside....

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Scott3

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#1493527 16-Feb-2016 23:48

Linuxluver:

MikeAqua:

$40k? For a tiny little car. Wow.

A recent study (looking for the link) showed that the Leaf's running costs across 3 years are half that of comparable cars. Like $24,000 vs $42,000 (IIRC). So it would be more appropriate to compare it to a 2-3 year old compact 4-door that cost $20,000.....which is a good deal depending on what vehicle / maker you're talking about. The Leaf is supposedly well appointed. Not a payless-plastics fest inside....

The EECA has a tool :https://www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/tools/vehicle-total-cost-of-ownership-tool/

The leaf is quite a big hatchback. Quite a bit bigger than my 2006 corolla.

I rented one on Waiheke, and it was quite highly specified with Alloy Wheels, Key-less entry, and headlights which were way better than are on my corolla, and quite nice to drive (mostly due to having a fixed ratio gearbox rather than an auto).

I think the leaf is an ok value proposition, even with current low fuel prices.

Cheapest Nissan Leaf on Trademe is $16,990.00 (2011 with 44,500km, keyless entry, alloys, Bluetooth)

Cheapest 2011 Nissan Tidda with under 50,000km on the clock is $12,020 (its a 1.5L sedan, with steel wheels, low spec)

Cheapest 2011 Corolla with under 50,000km on the clock is $15,990

It wouldn't take many years to pay off the $5,000 Price difference with the Tidda, given the petrol and maintenance savings you would expect, and plus you get a much nicer car.

That is of course if you can charge at home or at work, and can live with the range limitations. Given 54% of NZ households (2013 censuses) have access to 2 or more motor vehicles, I imagine a few of them could use another vehicle for intercity trips.

bfginger

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#1494596 18-Feb-2016 08:39

Bridges has previously said the government won't be subsidising EV car sales. Taking measures probably means things like clearing the way for kerbside charging ports for people without off-street parking.

I'd guess this sums up the government's thinking on electric cars as Hosking channels John Key's opinion on everything
https://www.facebook.com/MikeHoskingBreakfast/videos/1108422875857939/

There is too much taxation to miss out from for the exclusion from RUCs to keep being extended. Is it true you have to pay an extra $100 per year ACC levy to register EVs compared with petrol cars?

Why not a second hand Prius or Mirage? They're cheaper to buy and cheaper to run than a Leaf + RUC and have better range.
The i-Miev is much cheaper second hand than the Leaf although its range is a bit lower. In future years' models Nissan should extend the Leaf's range.

One advantage of an EV is it isn't going to be hit by anther oil shock.

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RUKI

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#1495329 18-Feb-2016 23:32

Continue to play with American Nissan Leaf Head Unit on the bench. Still need active FM antenna to test Radio (got GPS antenna today). With the absence of rear cam in NTSC - connected NTSC DVD player to the cam input instead:

Toyota / Lexus Hybrid and EV Battery Expert Battery Test & Repair

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#1495331 18-Feb-2016 23:39

The government kind of has to support (or at least appear to support) electric vehicles.

It seems generally accepted that we will have to cut back on oil use in the future (either due to supply constraints or environmental constraints (including changes to meet our climate change reduction obligations).

Our government has been embarking on a massively expensive motorway building program (the so called "roads of national significance"), and are doing their best to force pro sprawl policies on our large cities, both of which encourage more car driving (a high emission activity with the current NZ car fleet).

These policies seemingly directly conflict with our emission reduction targets, promoting Electric car's is about all the government can do to justify these policies.

Of course electric cars make great economic sense for the country too. Far better to use locally generated electricity to power our cars and keep the money in NZ than to buy oil from the Arab states, and send our money offshore (damaging our balance of payments).

In regard's to RUC's, currently the exemption is locked in until 2020. I hope the government will keep it around until at least EV's make up 0.5%of the light vehicle fleet (I appreciate it cannot last for ever). This is the current government policy:

Why is the light electric vehicle exemption being extended to 2020?

Uptake of light electric motor vehicles is slower than was projected in 2009 due to a range of factors such as the price of light electric motor vehicles not coming down as quickly as anticipated in 2009. The risk to RUC revenue streams is therefore considered much smaller than was projected in 2009.

Consequently, the government has decided to extend the exemption from paying RUC from 30 June 2013 to 30 June 2020.

The government remains committed in its support of uptake of light electric motor vehicles. Electric vehicles can contribute to reduction in transport emissions and greenhouse gases and reduce New Zealand’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

When the Exemption is lifted the government will need to sort out the current RUC scheme so EV's aren't disadvantaged against efficient petrol cars.

Currently a Prius at 3.8L/100km would pay 2.55c/km in road tax (via petrol tax)

If the exemption was lifted today, a leaf would pay 6.2c/km in RUC (same as a 3.5 tonne van or light truck)

Clearly this would distort the market towards efficient petrol cars.

[edit] Just checked out the rego thing, According to rightcar.co.nz Nissan leaf costs $230/year, where a masda 3 (petrol) costs $130/year. Perhaps a change to that is something that could be in the Pro - EV package that was teased.

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#1495337 18-Feb-2016 23:56

RUKI:

Continue to play with American Nissan Leaf Head Unit on the bench.

Is it the "double din" type, or the built into the dash type found on the high spec cars?

I would be amazing if a ex Japan leaf could be converted to English (perhaps Nissan global / Japan could allow this now Nissan NZ no longer lists them on its website). Sucks to have messages in a language I can't read.

Would be great if it was possible to drop in an NZ Sim and get remote preconditioning to work. I really like the video below, although I guess you could just set the timer in the menu to get the same effect, but not quite as ideal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM_2ThPIDjo (shows remote preconditioning (cabin pre-heating) feature in cold climate)

At least heat is available from the start up in an EV, unlike as petrol car, where you have to wait for the engine to warm up as you drive, although preheating on grid power is better.

RUKI

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#1495667 19-Feb-2016 13:46

Scott3:

RUKI:

Continue to play with American Nissan Leaf Head Unit on the bench.

Is it the "double din" type, or the built into the dash type found on the high spec cars?

Would be great if it was possible to drop in an NZ Sim and get remote preconditioning to work. ....

It is double DIN - I have more photos here:

https://www.facebook.com/batteryanalyser

Re: NZ Sim (for Leaf Carwings) - computer in Leaf responsible for that is called TCU (Telematics Control Unit). From the posts on other blogs who import Leafs from US Japan TCU from Japan has CDMS, TCU from US has SIM card for AT&T.

I have not ordered TCU from US yet as I do not have Nissan Consult3+ yet. Without Dealership tool it is impossible to re-program TCU from another wrecked car to work. Will do when have tools handy.

Linuxluver

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#1496840 22-Feb-2016 10:05

The 2017 Leaf is supposed to have almost 300km range. But that's 18 months away (Sept '17).

I could wait two years.....but I think I'd rather buy the best EV I can get now, then trade up in two years.

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andrew027

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#1496857 22-Feb-2016 10:41

I was thinking about this thread on Saturday - went to have a look around the fair in Jackson St, Petone, Lower Hutt, and EVImports were there getting people interested in used Leafs. They had two or three vehicles and quite a crowd when I was there.

wellygary

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#1507928 8-Mar-2016 09:44

....and its official ......The leaf in no longer dealer available in NZ

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/77631381/fleet-managers-left-without-affordable-ev-option-after-nissan-leaf-pulled-from-nz

Linuxluver

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#1507941 8-Mar-2016 10:02

wellygary:

....and its official ......The leaf in no longer dealer available in NZ

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/77631381/fleet-managers-left-without-affordable-ev-option-after-nissan-leaf-pulled-from-nz

I supect Nissan are playing a game of chicken with the government. Transport Minister, Simon Bridges, had said he was looking at how EVs might be encouraged.....but a year passed and the govt did nothing. Meanwhile, other countries have moved ahead with subsidies for EVs and those subsidized vehicles are now showing up here as 2nd-hand cars with as little as 2000km on the clock. Clearly, the aim was to gain the subsidy and sell the car here.

NZ, being small, has less ability to support new or niche markets (contrary to the go-get-em mythology)....so we tend to always miss out unless the government gets behind something. That's just how it is.

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