The Mitsubishi i MiEV is great for tall people! My brother is 6'- 6 1/2" and he drives one, and I'm 6'- 4" and we have lots of room with both of us in the car. The rear seat, though, is pretty tight for me.

The Leaf is also fine for tall people - my brother's wife drives one, and the back seat is okay for us. Your knees are higher than ideal in the back seat because the battery is under the floor.

Yes, EV's only need a single reduction gear - or direct drive with no gears at all!

Neil

Another critical factor to high efficiency is low aerodynamic drag. It has a Cd of 0.186 which is far better than any other production vehicle. And it is narrower than it would be otherwise, by staggering the seats - the passenger seat is slightly behind the driver's seat so it can be closer to the center of the car.

The electric motor should help it feel quicker than it is - I think some people are way too concerned about acceleration. At least all the way up to 60MPH - when you drive onto most highways, you have an entrance ramp where you are already going 30-35mph, so getting up to 60mph is quicker.

I think it can't cost more than $50K - it is limited production and it is a halo car, they'll have to sell them.

Neil

Thanks for the information - the Eco mode may also include free wheel coasting, which will help increase the range, because you will accelerate less and use the kinetic energy to move the car. Regenerative braking then helps if you need to slow the car down, but easy repeatable coasting when you lift your right foot off the accelerator is a very good thing.

The more EV's we have on the market, the better!

Neil

Weight is not the only factor affecting efficiency. the drivetrain efficiency is the most important thing, and the new Leaf has a new charger and a revised motor. And it does weigh a bit less, too.

Aerodynamic improvements are where a lot can be gained. If the Leaf could lower the Cd from 0.29 down to 0.24, then that would be like cutting the weight a 1,000 pounds or more. Remember weight *helps* when coasting, and regen also regains some of the energy "invested" in a moving car - but aero drag is always a total loss. And aero drag is a majority of the load above 30MPH.

Neil

Why wouldn't Honda give customers what they want? Really?

Cars with big batteries and plugs are the future - with or without range extenders; depending on your needs.

Neil

Remember, cold weather lowers your MPG by 15-25% or so. You've got a much slower warmup time, there is greater aero drag because colder air is more dense, and the gasoline they sell in the winter has slightly less energy, too.

Neil

Thanks for the heads up - my brother and my father have i MiEV's and they will have this fixed ASAP.

Neil

Don't forget the Mitsubishi i (MiEV) - it is not selling very many, but it should get counted.

Neil

I hope they sell the Smart Electric Drive everywhere. And I hope this gets Toyota to sell the iQ EV, as well. The Smart with a good 6-speed can surely get >50MPG?

Neil