Nissan Says Its Electric Leaf Gets Equivalent of 99 M.P.G

 

This week, I read an article about Nissan’s new car, Nissan Leaf. I have heard that cars made by Japanese company are popular in America, but I do not know so much. Therefore, this is a good opportunity to learn about it.

 The article is as follows:

The federal government has rated the Nissan Leaf, the battery-powered car scheduled to go on sale next month in five states, as getting the fuel equivalent of 99 miles a gallon, Nissan said Monday.

 The Environmental Protection Agency, which tests vehicles for emissions and fuel efficiency, has determined Leaf’s official range to be 73 miles on a fully charged battery, much less than the 100 miles previously claimed by Nissan.

Both figures will appear prominently on the Leaf’s window label, which shows the estimated yearly electricity cost as $561. The E.P.A. calculates annual fuel costs as $867 for the Toyota Prius hybrid and $1,669 for Chevrolet’s Malibu, which like the Leaf, is classified as a midsize car.

The E.P.A. puts vehicles through five tests to simulate varying driving conditions and levels of climate-control usage.

Because drivers cannot simply stop at a gas station and refuel, the Leaf’s range is expected to weigh heavily on shoppers’ minds. Adding to any confusion they might feel, the Leaf will have a second sticker from the Federal Trade Commission — it regulates advertising by alternative-fuel vehicles — displaying the car’s range as 96 to 110 miles.

In Japan, I think Toyota Prius is the most popular electronic car, despise there are many other hybrid car, for example, crown. This summer, I went Soen driving school. The car used at the school is prius! The school said “we are using prius!” as appeal.  Why many Japanese love prius? I think, this is because not only it is eco-friendly car, but also it is new, high technology, and cool car. I feel that Japanese think having prius as status. In addition, some people who use prius seem that they indicate they are considering environment.

At any rate, hybrid car is nice, I think. When I drive prius, I was surprised at the smoothness. Also, reading this article, I was surprised that hybrid car is progressing aggressively day by day. According to this article, yearly electronic cost of Leaf is $561! In addition to that, Leaf is very economical because lead gets equivalent of 99 mile per gallon.

However, there are some disadvantages. For example, electronic car does not make noise so much. This seems to be nice, but it is so small noise that people who are walking near the car do not notice when it comes close with them.

 Although there are advantages and disadvantages, electronic car is very attractive. I expect more and more variety of electronic cars are sold in the future.

Nick Bunkley.” Nissan Says Its Electric Leaf Gets Equivalent of 99 M.P.G”

New York Times 22 Nov.2010 :n.pag 24 Nov.2010