The evolution of electric-powered vehicles continues to move forward and today there are several zero-emission choices for reducing your carbon footprint when shopping for a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Excluding the 238-mile range Chevy Bolt, two strong choices available today are the 2017 Nissan Leaf and 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf - both with a comforting range of 100-plus miles or more. With a big push from Carlos Ghosn and the folks at Nissan, the Leaf is the most popular EV on the market and widely available across the U.S. The Volkswagen e-Golf competes directly with the Nissan Leaf, offers similar range but is sold in limited markets. As closely matched all-electric competitors, which is the better car - the 2017 Nissan Leaf or the 2017 VW e-Golf? When comparing BEV cars, range on a single charge is likely the most important spec that everyone looks at. Morning pastime while I wait for my EV to recharge. I suppose there are worst ways to start a day. How long does it take to charge up the batteries?
The Leaf S models come standard with a 3.6-kW onboard charger; a 6.6-kW charger is optional on that model, and standard on the higher-level SV and SL models. Indeed, the higher power charger means recharge times are faster. If the battery is near zero, it can take up to 26 hours to fully charge the Leaf’s 30-kWh battery with the standard 3.6-kW onboard charger and a 110-volt outlet or 21 hours using a 6.6-kW charger. Getting back up to full capacity using a 240-volt AC Level 2 source takes approximately seven hours with the 3.6-kW charger and around 6 hours with the 6.6-kW charger, according to Nissan. The VW e-Golf has a 7.2-kW charger, which is standard across all models. VW claims that the e-Golf can be charged in less than six hours using an AC Level 2 charger. The CHAdeMO quick charge option - promoted by Nissan-Renault and adopted by primarily Japanese car manufacturers - is a charging standard with a specification for high-voltage (up to 500 V DC) high-current (125 amp) automotive fast charging.
Leaf’s battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes or less. The Volkswagen group adopted the SAE J-1772 “combo” charging system (CCS) as its standard for DC fast charging. Once we found the right type of connector, charging the e-Golf’s battery to 80 percent or better took about the same amount of time as the Leaf. We don’t recommend waiting to get that last 20 percent unless you really need it. Both the Leaf and e-Golf battery systems taper down the charging rate as it gets closer to full battery capacity. Since rates per minute are much higher when using a DC fast charger, the cost to recharge that last 20 percent can get expensive. How much does the Leaf and the e-Golf cost? The 2017 Nissan Leaf is offered in three trims - Leaf S, Leaf SV, and Leaf SL. 36,835 before federal and state tax incentives. The 2017 VW e-Golf is offered in two trims - SE and SEL Premium. 28,995, the new Volkswagen e-Golf SE trim comes with a list of standard equipment that overshadows the Leaf S model, including an available 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 7.2 kW onboard charger.
A DC fast charging package is available. 35,595 and has an available 12.3-inch digital cockpit system that borrows display technology from its sister brand Audi. Another indication of the Leaf’s dated cabin is the tilt-only adjustability of the steering wheel; it does not telescope. Some of the minor switches and controls look and feel more suited to an economy car than an advanced technology all-electric car. The low-resolution display of the instrument cluster looks downright primitive and requires using a perimeter button to view the number of information pages. Conversely, the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is a practical mode of transportation that delivers a big car feel in a small package. The Golf’s light and airy cabin can accommodate five passengers in suitable comfort while providing a very usable 22.8 cubic feet of cargo room (52.7 cubic feet with its rear seats folded). Overall, the cargo area is more spacious than the Leaf when the seats are folded and it has more useable space because the cargo area floor is on a single plane. Plus, the cargo area is kept tidy with the car’s trickle charger stowed out of sight underneath the floorboard.
