Still a big Fan of electric cars.

The Nissan Leaf. I have driven it before but not for an extended amount of time. Anxious to get to know it more and try a longer journey we had one on loan to review.

The space age Nissan arrived on a trailer almost fully charged. Test one was to drive to Bournemouth that afternoon a distance of 76 miles from near Newbury where I was located. Even though it should take it in its stride a possible quick top up would be wise. I was a bit concerned about the optimum range and any hold ups on a Friday afternoon.

Topping up I used the 13amp charging lead on my home socket. The cable supplied is pretty long and will work on a domestic UK supply as long as you get the wiring checked properly. I have a charger box installed on my driveway, used for other EV tests so it is all quite convenient thanks to rolecserv.

After loading the car and trying to get on my way before the Friday afternoon rush. Checking the instruments a range of 86 miles was indicated but I was told to ignore this figure as it depended on how it was driven before I got it. Now, this indicated range is a bit like how much change you may have in your pocket. Sometimes you think you have a few pence and then another time you may have ten quid or more or sometimes you lose it down the side of the seat. This range figure fluctuates massively and is related to driving conditions, hills up and down. I was soon to find out.

Once I left I knew i was going to take it easy  due to the distance and headed from here near Newbury to the A34. Just trickling along through country lanes the range increased to 96 miles before I hit the dual carriageway heading south. I settled at about 55mph and to keep it constant used the handy cruise control. The car can use quite a bit more power on uphill gradients so using the cruise control seemed to be a good way of conserving power and using it ‘ev’ectively.

The Nissan leaf is a very well built car, solid in construction and appearance. Easily will seat 4 adults in comfort and has an abundance of useful extras, a great music system, climate control (use sparingly on longer journeys) and bluetooth phone. The info for power usage is on view at all times and a cool feature is a display on the top gauge that builds trees as you drive economically. I managed three in 75 miles.

I must admit the interior for me could be a bit more stylish the two tone brown looks good but not really to my taste. Although I would add it was a calm and peaceful environment something that EV driving really has the edge on, more peaceful than any luxury car. The ability to hold a conversation with no road noise, listen to music with no engine noise and no vibration is something special and almost uncanny with the Nissan Leaf.

Continuing on down the A34 the car was very smooth, it had ample power in reserve but to keep my range, I drove in a controlled way and just enjoyed the radio and the peace and quiet. No real hold ups, no dramas the car was better than I expected. I got to about half way, just past Winchester my ambitious range seemed more than achievable, my range anxieties lessened and I really did enjoy this car. Driving though the New Forest a few gradients sapped up quite a bit of juice and then I was at Ringwood with still 26 miles shown on the instruments and 14 miles to go. On the last 10 miles I decided to use up the remaining power. Time to open it up a bit on the home run, easily the car does over the speed limit and the acceleration is smooth, silent and rapid.

Arriving at my destination I tweeted my arrival and got a few sarcastic comments. The instruments indicated the car would take 12 hours for a full charge, plugging it in I settled in for the evening within walking distance of places to go out : )

So test one- EV passing admirably, Yes the car has its limitations but the weekends driving to follow showed the Nissan Leaf to do all it does exceptionally well. Over the weekend we did quite a few trips around the Bournemouth,  Poole, Sandbanks area. This local town driving is where the car really does excel. Just 32 miles were covered not even one third of its range and the ease of use and the pleasure of not having to visit a garage is the best feeling.

How many of us with our local driving needs could use a car like this, I know I could and quite a few of you I am sure, I know they’re expensive, they won’t be forever, but now is the time to get out and try a Nissan Leaf or any EV and just feel the difference.

Read More articles about Nissan Cars here Drive.co.uk/Nissan