We review the Nissan Leaf Tekna from price to economy and all its features

THE problems with electric cars are obvious: They don’t go far enough, take too long to charge – and using the aircon zaps power.

But do you remember the first mobile phones? They were the size of a breeze block. The first home computers? A big, ugly steaming pile.

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Now we’ve all got wafer-thin smartphones and laptops with more processing power than a spaceship.

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History will repeat itself with electric cars.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD1cLJSE3bo&w=433&h=300]

They will get cheaper, batteries will last longer and one day they’ll even re-charge on the move.

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Nissan is making rapid progress. It has just updated the British-built Leaf with a new longer-range 30kWh battery which is supposed to do 155 miles.

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Of course it won’t. But it will do 90 miles. I know that because I’ve just done a full 52-lap Grand Prix at Silverstone — that’s 190 miles, with a 30-minute pitstop (80 per cent fast charge, brew and bacon sarnie) and a quick splash and dash.

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Most Brits only average 62 miles a day so a Leaf could suit you now.

But do you want to know the best bit? It was dirt cheap. An electric car costs 2p a mile to run compared to 12p a mile for your average motor, so 190 miles = £3.80.

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And assuming Mr Average does 10,000 miles a year, he’d save £1,000 on fuel.

No poo chute also means free road tax.

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So how much is a Leaf?

It’s £24,490 after the £5,000 Government grant (the muppets are reducing it to £4,500 on March 1) — or £239 a month on finance. Or be smart and buy second hand.

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I will also tell you this. The Leaf is remarkably easy to drive, comfy and loaded with toys.

The satnav even finds charging points when you’re running low.

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I crossed the finish line some four hours later still feeling fresh and impressed.
VERDICT: Green, cheap to run — and it would still beat a McLaren.

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