Volt vs Leaf and Range Anxiety – Is It Real?
by Tom Gorham
Internet Sales & Marketing Manager
August 3, 2011
The electric Volt took top spot at Motor Trend
According to an article in Ward’s Dealer Business, the majority of U.S. car buyers are open to the idea of purchasing an electic vehicle. [Study Says Majority of U.S. Car Buyers Open to EV Purchase, By Steve Finlay, WardsAuto.com, Jul 27, 2011] However the study points our that, “Seven out of 10 respondents say they would prefer plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles to full EVs.”
The issue relates to what the industry calls “range anxiety” or the worry that you may get stranded on the highway in an all-electric vehicle like the Nissan Leaf when you exceed the range of electrical power. A very real fear that Chevrolet avoided with the new Chevy Volt by adding a back-up gas engine that recharges the batteries as you drive after you have exceeded pure electrical range. A Volt can go approximately 40 miles on pure electric charge, and continue on to 300 miles with the gas engine recharging the batteries before you have to either plug-in or get gas.
Electric vehicle Nissan Leaf
Both vehicles are a real breakthrough that may lead the U.S. to energy independence. But range anxiety is likely to depress sales of the pure electric vehicles like the Leaf. For those who commute less than 60 miles per day, the Leaf makes sense as a second car. For those who need a vehicle that is reliable 24 hours a day and longer commutes or trips, the Volt is the clear winner. What do you think?
