If you want to observe and control the still increasing volume of traffic from a higher vantage point, that is absolutely legitimate. But please do not do it out of a vehicle that has been raised artificially higher without any sense of city streets. Give the whole thing a sense, by filling the resulting gap with electricity, stored electricity.

Slowly namely, it begins to become interesting. No, not spectacular such as some other manufacturers. You surely know the story of the seemingly inconspicuous people who better than others assert oneself against all obstructions and at some point be classified as the most successful. Exactly such a type the Nissan Leaf is. It came on the market in 2011 and in Germany in 2012 and with or after it a whole lot of similarly designed vehicles, but it can be just only one the number 1.

Check out the videos below 2 and 3, showing the justifiable pride of the manufacturer on the achieved sales figures. Interestingly, the largest Japanese manufacturer very successfully looks after the hybrid area and only the third largest after the pure electrical sector. Meanwhile, the number 1 is already en route to the hydrogen age, followed by the second largest Honda and the large South Korean group Hyundai. Consequently, the Germans or Europeans have to wrap up warmly. After all, Renault has more than a foot in the door at Nissan.

The reason for this report here is the possible extension of the operating range to 30 kWh, presented at the IAA. Except Tesla, others can only dream of, just as one can only dream from a Tesla at the moment. The Leaf has a visually very cheap basic price in Germany. But be on your guard, no manufacturer of electric vehicles can perform miracles. The cheapest version has two disadvantages namely, only 24 kWh and the rent for the batteries.

With 30 kWh and the purchase price for the batteries it is then already about 34,000 euros, especially because you can buy the extended range only together with the next largest Acenta equipment. After all, then the automatic search system for the next charging station is on board that in the basic equipment would have to be paid with 490 euros extra. And only then can also be charged with direct current, what should bring about 80 percent of range in half an hour.

Just for orientation: The E-Golf is more expensive with 6 kWh less and in basic equipment about 1,000 euros. The BMW i3 has 8 kWh less at similar price. The Opel Ampera and Chevrolet Volt seems rather to be a 'dying swan', has been useful for the image for the rescue of GM. Mercedes just catches up case of the hybrids. Peugeot/Citroën has only an electric small car in the offer.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is also a small car and significantly more expensive considering its battery capacity. The Renault Zoe is not allowed to get in the Group brother Leaf's way and is therefore also positioned below it. Honda is more busy with mild hybrids, such as Hyundai in addition also with fuel cells. Do you now see why the Nissan Leaf is so successful? 11/15