Speaking of the devil, to accurately assess operating range, we departed Nissan's Franklin, Tennessee, US headquarters with a fully charged battery and merged into morning traffic. After an hour or so of freeway driving, we continued with a low-speed excursion of the local suburban hills and valleys. At eighteen miles remaining, the range digits began flashing and a 'battery level is low' warning appeared. We drove on to an eight-mile reading at which point the digits changed to three horizontal dashes and a 'very low battery advisory appeared.' Suffering no apparent loss of performance (or terminal range anxiety), we rolled home to a charging station having logged a total of 81 miles: 60 on the highway averaging 65 mph plus another 21 miles at 25 mph.
This and other chances to experience the Leaf's foray into the electric unknown prompt a few conclusions. This is a real car, not a risky science experiment. Never having to add gas or change oil and a significantly lower cost per mile are plusses that all motorists can appreciate.
Unfortunately, these attributes are expensive. Even after the government kickbacks, the Leaf, like the Volt and all cars pioneering advanced technology, has a higher initial cost than conventional alternatives. But the greatest hardship is the loss of spur-of-the-moment versatility. The Leaf demands a level of diligence few possess to plan ahead, to plug in, and to never tug too hard against its 81-mile-long leash.
So, while the Leaf is no great leap forward as an only car, it could be the smartest second or third car ever created for the modern affluent household.