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December 4, 2010 at 11:53 pm | No Comments »

A year ago, I thought the Chevrolet Volt was the right answer for the next generation car. The Nissan Leaf seemed like a lame punchline in comparison. Now having poked, prodded and sat in both (and driven a Leaf), I’m not so sure.

Each bit of news about the Volt seems to dull the PR-spun polish a bit. Whereas my impression of the Leaf keeps getting better. True, up was the only available direction so it couldn’t have started much worse.

Still, I think it’s telling that while GM has been pumping out mass quantities of Voltage-charged air, Nissan has been thoroughly rethinking the car ownership experience for the electric era. The level of education they’re now rolling out is impressive. Almost every objection I’ve had to the Leaf has been answered. In comparison, I’m seeing more and more holes in the Volt story.

Take maintenance alone. The Volt has an intricate, complex drive system. Primary electric motor and battery pack that requires its own heating and cooling circuits. A secondary motor/generator. And a traditional four-cylinder gasoline engine. Plus a trick transmission with multiple clutches and devilishly complex software orchestrating the whole shebang. In comparison, the Leaf is quite simple mechanically. Big battery plus electric motor. The transmission is just a single-speed direct drive affair.

A Volt is going to have all the maintenance cost and annoynance of a traditional car–oil changes, tune ups, smog certificates, etc. But the Leaf only requires checking brake, coolant and windshield wiper fluids annually.

When a third of the scheduled maintenance consists of refilling wiper fluid, well that’s a pretty giant change.

Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m not convinced yet. Oh sure, I’m very intrigued and a bit excited about an all-electic second car. I’m just not convinced this seemingly inevitable purchase will wear a Nissan badge. You see I’ve got a deep bias for European cars. I’ve never owned or seriously considered an Asian nameplate. Saab. VW. BMW. They captured my heart with their driving dynamics and now they get my money.

I respect what Nissan is attempting with the Leaf but I’ll probably wait for the aluminum and carbon fiber BMW Megacity or the reborn 92 that Saab’s new boss keeps talking up.

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