Our Popular Stories of 2010: LEAF, Recharging, Myth Busting

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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First 2011 Nissan Leaf delivered to buyer, San Francisco, Dec 2010, photo by Eugene Lee

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We’re just two days away from 2011, the year many industry experts are terming the year of the electric car, but 2010 hasn’t been a slow year for electric cars. We’ve seen new models launched, records broken and even the Pope show an interest in going electric. 

But over the course of 2010 what stories have been getting the most attention from you, our readers? 

The 2011 Nissan LEAF proves a popular topic, featuring in a half of our 10 most popular stories, with charging and battery technology coming a close second, featuring in 4 of our 10 most popular stories. 

Interestingly, the 2010 Chevrolet Volt is not featured in the top 10 posts, scraping in at number 19, showing our readers are much more interested in pure electric cars than they are with range extended and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

Without further ado, here’s our top 10 posts of 2010, in reverse order. 

10) Nissan LEAF: Batteries

Originally penned in 2009, this post has remained popular throughout 2010, and for a good reason. 

Delving into the very heart of the 2011 Nissan LEAF’s electronics, the article explains how the 24 Kilowatt-hour battery pack is constructed. 

Written more than a year before the first Nissan LEAF production vehicles left the factory there isn’t a video to go with this post, but Nissan’s own production video released in October gives us a view of the battery pack being assembled. 

9) Nissan LEAF: Charging Capabilities Could Make Range Limitless

50 Kw Leaf Charger

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Could the Fast Charge option on the 2011 Nissan LEAF provide drivers with an almost unlimited mileage electric car, or will the cost of fast charge stations and tight financial budgets dissuade local government and business from installing ultra-fast charging infrastructure?  

That was the question asked by Eric Loveday in this article written in August 2009. Despite its age, the article has proven a popular choice throughout 2010 as more and more consumers try to research fast-charging before they buy their first electric car. 

8) Japanese Firm Lets EVs Refil Faster Than a Gas Car

Proving that fast-charging is a key concern among would-be electric car owners, this article from July 2010 covers a break-through high-power charger developed in Japan. 

According to the charger’s creators JFE Engineering, the unit is capable of charging a 2011 Mitsubishi i from empty to 50% full in just 3 minutes. 

But some simple math told us that the level 3 charging station won’t be coming to your home any time soon; a unit capable of charging an electric car that quickly would need a 62.5 kilowatt power supply - more than the supply to many homes. 

7) NIssan LEAF to Cost No More Than Fully Loaded Civic Plus The Cost of Gas

Before we knew for sure what the price of the 2011 Nissan LEAF would be, we heard many different claims about the pricing structure for this five-seat electric car.

In November 2009 when this article was written, Brian Carolin, Nissan’s Marketing executive for North America told us that he anticipated the LEAF to cost no more than a fully loaded 2011 Honda Civic and half its monthly fuel bill. 

We’d guessed the LEAF would lease at around $440 a month - a little higher than the official lease figures released in 2010, making this article interesting from an historical perspective but of little use to a buyer today. 

What it does show however, is the popularity of LEAF articles throughout the year at AllCarsElectric.

6) Get a Free Electric Car from Drive Electric

Golf Carts at Pebble Beach

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As fun as the title of this post from December 2009 is we’d like to point out that the free vehicle in question is not really a car. It’s a golf-cart.

At the time, Oklahoma-based Drive Electric may have attracted a lot of press interest, but a lot less custom than they may have hoped.

Qualifying for a $6,496.53 tax rebate, the enterprising Drive Electric decided to sell its four-seat Zone Electric NEV-48 EX for exactly the same price. 

On claiming back the rebate, any owners could then claim to have paid no money for their new electric vehicle.  

We don’t know how many folks took up Drive Electric on the offer - but with no creature comforts and a top speed well under 35 mph we think most customers waited for something a little bit more practical. 

To see our top five articles of 2010, head over to page two.