Nissan considering free rental car use for trips beyond the Leaf’s range

As Nissan Motor Co. prepares to launch global sales of the all-electric Leaf, it is thinking about throwing in free rental car use for trips that exceed the Leaf's 80-100 mile battery range. Nissan North America spokeswoman Katherine Zachary said that this idea mainly concerns markets outside the US where a majority of households do not typically own a second vehicle.

So far, Nissan has yet to come up with details on how the free rental-car service would work. That Nissan has considered it beneficial to offer this service is indicative of the challenge that electric-vehicle manufacturers have in introducing cars like the Leaf.
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Steve - 10/11/2010 12:53:29 PM

+1 Boost

If a consumer plans to buy an electric as their sole car, then they should think about how this affects their beyond-range trips. Summer cottage? Occasional visit to long-distance friends? Summer (A/V) winter (heater, as less power on tab from cold batteries) driving? All these things are factors for a 1-car EV household, so free, limited "normal" car use is a big plus.

If your EV is your second car, then it's a non-issue. You can treat your EV as a sort of motorcycle: Use it when you can, but the regular car is what you depend on.

quizz - 10/11/2010 4:34:30 PM

+1 Boost

I just don't see the economics of operating an EV car making sense for anybody but bit city dwellers who don't drive beyond their urban community. But then, if you are in such a city, wouldn't it be cheaper to just rent a Zip car when you need to get around beyond mass transit?

uaw_lax - 10/12/2010 12:33:49 AM

0 Boost

Just buy a Volt and drive all you want!