Dirty Coal statistic of the day

The not-quite-directly-from-the-side view of the LEAF offers arguably the ugliest view of Nissan's forthcoming all-electric car.

I used to think the Nissan LEAF was truly ugly. And, although the LEAF has grown on me somewhat, I’m still not thrilled about its exterior design.

In fact, even though I’ve put down $99 to reserve a new LEAF, two things might end up pushing me toward another electric car – and the LEAF’s looks are one of these (the 3.3 kW onboard charger for the early LEAFs is the other).

An affordable electric car with a 500-mile range is likely in 2020 says a VW executive. That's enough to get you from Chicago to Omaha on a single charge.

If you’re an electric vehicle enthusiast two recent news developments should have you positively giddy. Meanwhile, if you’re one of the many anti-EV folks out there, or, perhaps a Board member for any Big Oil company in the world, you’re probably getting a bit anxious.

Why?

Because two of the three biggest criticisms of electric cars – they don’t go far enough and they take too long to fuel – are in serious jeopardy of being rendered completely moot.

Anyone who misses the reality of the hazards of gasoline either never pumps gas, or is oblivous to the safety and health warnings that surround us at the gas station.

I hate pumping gas. In particular, I hate the toxic fumes I inhale every time I do it – all the while staring at the cancer warnings plastered on the gas pump.

Ever since I’ve had kids – two sweeties now ages 5 and 3 – I’ve also become more attuned to the dangers associated with pumping gas, most notably the very scary, but also unlikely prospect of a fire.

I know more than a few Nissan LEAF advocates were likely positively gleeful at GM’s announcement that the Chevy Volt – a plug-in hybrid that will run for approximately 40 miles on battery power alone before a hybrid engine kicks in – will be priced more than $8,000 more than the LEAF.

In fact, more than a few of the well over 500 (and counting) folks who posted a comment to Lyle Dennis’ re-write of the GM press release on the Volt’s pricing on heavily trafficked GM-Volt.com were stating outright that, given the Volt’s considerably higher price tag, they would be bolting from the Volt to the LEAF.