Is the Nissan LEAF’s range enough for your daily commute?

Updated May 11, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

Nissan’s electric vehicle has a total of 311 km range.

Nissan Philippines has now added the LEAF electric vehicle (EV) to its model lineup with a price of Php 2,798,000. One of the innovative features the Japanese electric vehicle (EV) offers is its 311 km range through its 40 kWh battery. With its debut, the question now among Filipino car buyers is that if the Nissan LEAF can be the next daily car.

Nissan LEAF front view

Nissan LEAF EV

To answer that question, let’s first know the average distance every Filipino car owner drives. According to Numbeo, the average commute distance in the cities of Quezon City (21 km), Manila (14 km), Makati (9 km), and Valenzuela (10 km) is 13.5 km when using a car. This means that in five days of working in a week, the distance covered by car owners in the said area is around 67.5 km.

With that number in mind, the Nissan LEAF can be theoretically used for daily commute in almost a month without the need for charging. Take note that daily traffic conditions and different driving habits will still need to be considered. However, the LEAF’s 311 km max range could be enough for daily drives, provided that you charge it regularly when you get home. This is just to ensure that your LEAF has sufficient battery to get you through the day, which is similar to how you normally charge your smartphone.  

Charging a Nissan LEAF

Owning an EV has its pros and cons

The only downside is that charging the LEAF will take a long time before reaching full charge. With the use of a standard 220-volt electric outlet, the charging time should take around 18.5 hours, almost a day without using the EV. But with the use of an optional Wall Box Charger, the estimated charging time is 7.5 hours only.

Overall, the range of the Nissan LEAF should be enough for your daily commute. Additionally, you can save more as Nissan Philippines shared that the charging cost of its new EV is Php 1.17 per kilometer, Php 0.91 cheaper per kilometer as compared to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE). Nissan PH also shared that the LEAF’s full charge will cost you around Php 370. If you decide to own the EV, you just might want to build a habit of charging ahead of time before your long trips.

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Know more about Nissan LEAF 2024

Nissan LEAF

The Nissan LEAF 2024 Philippines is a 5-door hatchback fitted with an all-electric powertrain. It is offered in the Philippines with one variant only which is priced at Php 1,998,000. Powering this electric vehicle (EV) is a synchronous electric motor capable of generating 148 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. A 40-kWh lithium-ion battery is used, which aids the model's 311 km range. Only a single-speed gear reduction system is utilized to exclusively send power to the front wheels.

Dimensions-wise, the LEAF has a length of 4,490 mm, a width of 1,788 mm, and a height of 1,540, with ground clearance and wheelbase rated at 155 mm and 2,700 mm, respectively. This is the first and only commercially available EV in the country. But in the all-electric options, the alternatives of Filipino car buyers include the Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Ioniq EV, and BYD E6.

 

Nissan LEAF Launch

The first-generation Nissan LEAF was initially introduced in the United States and Japan in December 2010. Due to its striking road presence and overall impressive performance, it gained recognitions such as the Green Car Vision Awards in 2010, the European Car of the Year and the World Car of the Year both in 2011 and the Car of the Year Japan for two consecutive years. Also, this multi-awarded electric vehicle is acclaimed as the world’s top-selling as of December 2019.

The second-generation Nissan LEAF was unveiled in October 2017. It was made available in the US and Europe a year later. The Nissan LEAF made its Philippines debut in May 2021. Nissan Philippines is offering the LEAF at Php 2,798,000. Available colors for the 2024 Nissan LEAF with the two-tone blacked-out roof include Pearl White, Vivid Blue, Gun Metallic, and Magnetic Red.

Nissan LEAF Exterior

The new Nissan LEAF comes with a sporty exterior design, and it looks similar to the global model that’s currently being sold in Japan, the United States, and Europe. In terms of dimensions, the LEAF electric vehicle measures 4,480mm long, 1,790mm wide, and 1,540mm tall. It also has a wheelbase of 1,540mm and a ground clearance of 155mm.  

The Nissan LEAF is fitted with halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights. It also has front fog lamps and a rear fog lamp, rain-sensing wipers, electronically adjustable and foldable front mirrors, and a rear wiper. The said electric vehicle also comes with Nissan’s signature V-motion grille. The LEAF is finished off with a set of 16-inch alloy wheels, wrapped with 205/55R16 tires.

Nissan LEAF front view Philippines

Nissan LEAF Interior

The Nissan LEAF 2024 can accommodate up to five occupants. It has a dark interior theme along with an automatic climate control system, and fabric-clad seats. The LEAF also comes with a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment, a push-to-start button, and a multi-information meter.

Nissan LEAF interior view Philippines

Technology & Safety Features

The LEAF Philippines is integrated with several techs and safety features. Placed at the center of the dashboard is an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes standard with a 360-degree view camera that can detect moving objects. The LEAF also has a driver attention alert system that warns one of the things moving in the car’s blind spots, rear end, and whenever you’re departing a lane. Adding to the list of the LEAF’s features are the following: hill-start assist, vehicle dynamic control, and anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution. On the more passive side, the Nissan-made EV comes with a total of six airbags.

Nissan LEAF infotainment screen Philippines

Platform & Chassis

The new Nissan LEAF is fitted with an independent front strut suspension and torsion beam suspension at the rear.

Nissan LEAF rear seats view Philippines

Engine & Drivetrain

The Nissan LEAF EV is powered by an electric motor that delivers 148 hp and 320 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed gear reduction system. The Nissan-made EV uses a 40-kWh lithium-ion pack with a 311-kilometer range. This can be charged with your bog-standard wall outlet, and doing so will fill it up fully in 15 to 18 hours. However, a quick charging station cuts down the LEAF’s charging time down to just 40 minutes to an hour.

Nissan LEAF shifter Philippines

Available colors for the Nissan LEAF are Gun Metallic, Vivid Blue, Magnetic Red, and Pearl White, all of which come with a Pearl Black roof.

The Nissan LEAF still doesn't have a lot of competition in the country as the local EV market is still relatively new.

Nissan LEAF Pros & Cons

 Pros Cons
 
  • Offers 311 km of range

  • Sleek styling with the two-tone finish

  • Cheaper to run combustion engines

 
  • Relatively expensive price tag

  • EV infrastructure is still in its early stages.

  • First-time EV owners might expect more in terms of driving experience

Nissan LEAF FAQs

1. How much does a Nissan LEAF 2024 cost in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, it is available in one variant which is priced at P1,998,000.

2. What problems does the Nissan LEAF have?

Nissan LEAF had some issues about reliability, with some electrical and brake concerns.

3. What is the body type of Nissan LEAF?

The body type of LEAF is a hatchback.

4. Does the Nissan LEAF 2024 have a reverse camera?

Yes, it does. With the reverse camera, you can see what is behind the car on the screen.

5. What is the Length of Nissan LEAF Philippines?

The length of LEAF is  4,490 mm.

 

₱ 1,998,000

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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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