So the Nissan LEAF Tour hit Knoxville on Friday, January 15, and about 100 turned out for the opportunity to see this new generation vehicle. The LEAF itself was on display, and another vehicle (a Versa with all internal parts same as the LEAF) was availabe for test drive. (The vehicles look quite similar, so the test drive vehicle was about as close as you could come to the real thing.)
The test drive was great. Smooth, powerful, roomy enough for me at least (at 6’3”; I’m not that wide). Shifting is simple - we’ve got a video of just how simple - I like the button for returning to Park.
The LEAF it self was a beaut. We’ve included a largely external video that shows all around the vehicle and the truck and drivers view, and ends up showing the charging ports in front (through which all 3 levels can charge - levels 1 and 2 charge through the right port as Nissan provides a cable that converts your household current [120V] to charge through that one).
The greater Knoxville area team has some good work to do to select the right locations to get the public charging level 2 and level 3 charging installed and operating. I know they will do a great job.
This is a game changer… I’m excited to see how this evolves in all the test markets where this is getting started. Certainly we are destined to learn stories of how it was done right, and how it was done wrong. For Tennessee sake — considering that the vehicle and its batteries will be built in Smyrna, TN — let’s hope all three major cities really come through strong to make Tennessee an example of how to do it right.
See all four videos we have posted (more are coming) right now right here:
