• Do they compete? Yes, at least in my state.

• Motivations? Primarily pocketbook. CNG is cheaper than gasoline, and my state gives CNG vehicles a whopping $2,500 tax incentive --but only a paltry $605 for EVs. Much further down the list for consumers in my area are concerns for the environment or national security.

• Challenges? The advantages --and disadvantages-- of either drivetrain. See my: http://www.casteyanqui.com/ev/leaf_vs_cng/index.html

Oh, Xiaolong... whatever! John O'Dell would likely be the first to admit that his "test" was off-the-cuff. Literally! LOL.

I think you're getting sidetracked to pick at nits about those various 0-to-60 estimates.

To get back to the topic at hand, my report attempted to show that the Leaf beats the Honda CNG in (1) pollution emissions, (2) greenhouse gas emissions, (3) fuel economy, (4) fuel costs, (5) maintenance, (6) safety, (7) capacity, and --yes-- (8) acceleration --no matter which figure you prefer.

Conversely, the Honda CNG beats the Leaf in (1) top speed, (2) purchase price, (3) range, and (4) refueling time.

In my opinion, it therefore doesn't make sense to opt for a CNG vehicle instead of EV for most of our daily driving.

Hi, Xiaolong:

Heh. You answered your own question!

Yes, I used the figure from zeroto60times.com. Of course, none of the reports from different sources guarantee their "accuracy or validity."

For example, "The Truth About Cars" clocked the Leaf from 0-to-60 at 8.96 seconds, i.e., faster than MotorTrend and Car& Driver:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/02/review-a-week-in-a-2012-nissan-leaf/

And John O'Dell of Green Car Advisor claimed to have hit 60 mph in 7 seconds:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/22/unofficial-nissan-leaf-does-0-60-mph-in-7-seconds-tops-out-at/

http://nissan-leaf.net/2010/10/20/leaf-0-to-60/

Ergo... I figured that the 7.9 seconds might be a reasonable average or compromise among these different reports.

My state awards CNG vehicles a tax incentive more than four times larger than that for EVs. I therefore prepared and sent to my legislators two reports on the issue --to no avail. Others might care to read them:

Utah Air Quality and EVs
http://www.casteyanqui.com/ev/utah_air/index.html

How Do EVs and CNGVs Compare? Really?
http://www.casteyanqui.com/ev/leaf_vs_cng/index.html

Appalling, but not the least bit surprising, given that our so-called "representatives" are in bed with the oil/gas industry lobbyists:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/56023507-82/utah-data-evs-http.html.csp

It is so bad that some residents are now hand drawing a "p" on the end of the first word of their license plate logos: "Ski Utah."

Apparently Nissan is already testing this option for its used battery packs:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57361715-76/nissan-leaf-batteries-seek-second-life-as-home-storage/

I hope they eventually bring it to market. It could prove the ultimate accessory for those who power their EVs with solar panels.

"Our new electric car: Faster. Punchier. Quieter. Smoother. BETTER."

Bingo! So true. After driving my Nissan Leaf for several months, I had to take a 600-mile trip in our Subaru Outback. I was shocked at how "primitive" it seemed, with its engine noises, gear shifting, braking, and handling. And to think I used to consider it one of the best cars I'd ever owned. The Leaf now wins that contest hands down. It was actually a relief to return home and drive it again.

Mmmm... I have to disagree here. I have a very different interpretation of these data than most:

http://bit.ly/P7amaF

"Early Saturday morning" has come and gone. What are the results? Who needs to apologize: Andy Palmer or Tony Williams?

For an even wider perspective, here is a comparison of the worldwide distribution of all Volts (~24,000) and LEAFs (~32,000) manufactured to date:

http://bit.ly/Qfxlm8