Thursday, May 19, 2011

Most Fuel - Efficient Cars Of 2011 #1

If you are in the market for a new car, there are several fuel-efficient models out there that will save you money in the long run. As the price of oil rises and/or remains highly volatile and unpredictable, these vehicles rely mainly on electric current to keep them running. Not only are they economical in nature, they also aren't contributing to the environmental pollution and the greenhouse effect. 
My first pick would be; 2011 Nissan LEAF.

Why Nissan Leaf?
   -        First of all, it’s an all-electric powered car. Unlike so many hybrid vehicles that are emerging lately, it has that edge of being a front runner in these times of inevitable transference between our dinosaur gas-guzzlers, and new, more efficient types of personal transportation vehicles.

   -        Nissan LEAF uses on average of 30 kWh of electric power for every 100 miles traveled. That means it is 99 MPGe - miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent. For comparison – Honda Accord, one of the best selling car models in the US currently, has their new 2011 models (Coupe and Sedan) ranging between 23 and 34 miles per gallon, depended on if it’s a city or highway commuting.  


-         LEAF’s lithium ion battery has a range span of 80 to 138 miles per single charge - depending on the road and weather conditions. It is designed to be charged by 120/240 V 30amp AC and 480 V DC 125amp inputs. Respectively, charging times are ~20 hrs, ~8 hrs and ~30 minutes via fast charging docking stations.


-         The national average electricity cost in U.S. is $0.1147/kWh. That means the average cost to charge the car would be $2.75 from empty to full.


-         The Leaf's battery is guaranteed by Nissan for eight years, or 100,000 miles. The engine itself needs very little or no maintenance during that time.


-         Top speed is around 90 mph with 110 horse power engine.Tested acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is 9.9 seconds.


-         Cost of the car is around $35.000, but many government subsidies and tax incentives on the Nissan Leaf are bound to reduce that cost by at least ten thousand dollars for its future owners.


-         Technology involved inside and outside of this car is ranging from advanced telematics system called ‘Carwings’ that detects nearby docking stations on a map, as well as tracking and compiling of data on distance traveled in correlation with the overall energy consumption; to VSP system used to alert pedestrians on the proximity to this quiet electric car; to the remote mobile phone access to vehicles air conditioning and power charging functions. There is also a single solar panel on the back used to power the auxiliary battery. 


- Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award award, the 2011 European Car of the Year award,the 2011 World Car of the Year, and it ranks as the most efficient EPA certified vehicle for all fuels ever.

These are just few of the many beautiful advantages of this, in my mind, “Model T” of the 21st century cars. 
Here are some videos used to promote 2011 Nissan Leaf. Hope you will enjoy them as much as I did. 

 
LEAF is a backronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car.

50 comments:

  1. Although I think it is quite an achievement building a car like that, what is the use of being able to do 90 miles an hour with an electric car if your batteries are flat within 80 miles at topspeed? This is no solution to greenhouse effect nor oil shortage.
    Back to the drawing board boys!

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  2. $4 a gallon or more, I need a fuel efficient car!

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  3. I think it looks fair. Decently priced. But I can't help to prefer the looks of older model cars, that used to be around the same price when they where new (probably a little bit cheaper). Like the Mazda 323F, Nissan Almera, Corollas, Meganes. The 1996 - 2000 range.

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  4. gotta move away from oil fo sure!

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  5. Why do hybrid/electric cars look so ugly these days

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  6. yep in the future we will ran out of gas so this is something we need, but 2 expencive atm at least for me

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  7. i seriously cannot wait for the combustion age to die

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  8. i want the most efficient car ever. preferably sun powered so i can drive 247

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  9. Very important these times with the economy and all

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  10. Yeah, an efficient car is pretty important now. I'd probably get something like this.

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  11. I need to get me a more fuel efficient car!

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  12. The LEAF is getting close to a viable full electric car. It falls short on range and all though. And price.

    I think I'll stick with my civic for now.

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  13. I want an electric car but I'm holding out for a Tesla.

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  14. I want an electric car, but 90 mph is not enough to run from the cops...

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  15. I dunno how I feel about the Leaf. I really like my hybrids, like I am looking at a Honda Insight for example, but something about these all Electric's seems too good to be true.

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  16. Nice gas mileage. And it doesn't look as lame as some smart cars

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  17. Great blog! Keep the posts coming, i enjoy reading them!

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  18. That's pretty fast for an electric car!

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  19. Now that I'm driving, I'm much more conscious of the gas prices, and they are shooting up. I remember I got excited because I saw gas for 3.99 a gallon. I'd love an electric car like this, save money in the long run, however the original price is pretty steep.

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  20. If only the cars weren't so darn expensive, I would buy one.

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  21. so much potential for the future with these

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  22. too expensive but a great peace of technik!

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  23. Looks pretty cool ;>

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  24. Its good alternative energy sources are being used. I always like to see these technologies being developed.

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  25. We've had this technology for decades. Just think where we could be now if they hadn't killed it initially.

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  26. Why do all fuel efficient cars look retarded?

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  27. These cars would put those damn oil producing countries back in stone stone age without hard american cash.

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  28. the design of the car is kinda odd, but the idea behind it is great

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  29. Is it really called Leaf, sorry man that shit is pretty funny to me.

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  30. Fossil fuel is dead, i mean look at the rising of the gas prices, we need a new cleaner solution but it just isnt "CONVENIENT" for the Economy to make them mainstream. Did you know there was a car that ran on a battery that lasted for 10 Years??? Thats why i hate government and politics.

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  31. I can't understand why those cars aren't implemented massively yet

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  32. I think that slowly gas-powered cars will slowly be phased out and the hybrids and electric-powered cars will reign the automobile market, give it a few decades.

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  33. things are gonna get way better. my electrical engineering professor said so lol

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  34. How efficient is this.

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  35. I loveee nissanssss.
    |do it do it do it.

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  36. This is definitely the future.

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  37. I would love to have that car. No gas pump trips at all would be nice.

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  38. what ever happened to GM's water powered car?

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  39. I think some of the hybrids don't look too bad.

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  40. venom i love your blog you always have insightful posts :P Thanks for the knowledge

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  41. I wonder when fuel cell cars will become realistic

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  42. That is very nice, but how long it takes to charge it? it's not very useful if your batteries run dry and you have to wait like 6 hours or more.

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  43. i really don't think electric is the way. too much pollution comes from making those batteries. its a bandaid being made out to be a miracle cure. in fact, its not even a very good bandaid.

    what we need is a real breakthrough in alternative fuels like hydrogen. the sooner we can use the most abundant element in the universe the better. until then, if you really want to save the fucking enviroment, don't buy a hybrid or an electric. buy a god damned diesel or small gas engined car with a manual transmission and learn how to drive it. thats honestly the best thing you can do right now

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