dgpcolorado
Well-known member
I'd be willing to pay another $3000 for an additional 6 kWh of battery for the LEAF and might go as high as $4200 ($700/kWh). It would make some of my intended uses for the car less complicated to arrange when driving under less than ideal conditions (cold, wet, snow/ice). [It is currently sleeting here...]
However, I realize that the LEAF is intended for metro area commuting, not remote rural use, and that the current battery pack size ought to suffice for the vast majority of daily mileage for most, but not all, drivers. The cost benefit calculation depends on the intended use. The ideal solution would be to have multiple range options and let the buyer decide. As Tesla is going to do, albeit only for the wealthy.
But Nissan had to start somewhere and I think they made a pretty good compromise between range and cost for the first gen LEAF.
However, I realize that the LEAF is intended for metro area commuting, not remote rural use, and that the current battery pack size ought to suffice for the vast majority of daily mileage for most, but not all, drivers. The cost benefit calculation depends on the intended use. The ideal solution would be to have multiple range options and let the buyer decide. As Tesla is going to do, albeit only for the wealthy.
But Nissan had to start somewhere and I think they made a pretty good compromise between range and cost for the first gen LEAF.