Alex, Pricing and battery range are the two issues most people keep citing about all electric vehicles. I guess we would all like pricing to drop to a reasonable level to drive adoption but it seems this is not going to happen, at least not in the near future. I wonder, though, why this is the case. Could it be because most manufacturers don't want to cannibalize the other vehicles that obviously have high margins?
I drive an average of 2,000 miles per month and the LEAF has been excellent. The looks of the car are a small price to pay for the relaxing ride and ultra-low maintenance cost. Range isn't that big of an issue for me 95% of the time because I plug the car in while I spend time at client sites if there is an outlet or charging station is available. So someone that spends 8 hours a day at work can have a full charge to drive home with, then plug in at home and have a full charge in the morning.
The car is by no means a perfect urban car, and based on recent complaints, I will think twice before buying an all-electric car. Nissan Leaf users are having "range anxiety". This is what one user is saying about the car:
Price not that bad for Nissan leaf. Either of Volvo or Mercedeze benz would probably be my choice for full electric car. I think some techno-artfull design are going on them both.
At this price, with that limitation, it is clear that the Nissan Leaf is not for me - zoom or not zoom. Electric cars need to be more energy efficient before they can attract many buyers. But for now "the beautiful one is not yet born".
I wish the car had better styling. For $35k+ we deserve something a bit more artistic. For a car that's just meant to modestly pull someone around town I would hope for something in the $20k price range (though I do realize the technology is expensive). I'm quite interested in what BMW is doing in that market. Pretty sure they will deliver something that will turn heads.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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