You’ve probably heard of it by now – there will be 100% tax exemptions for EVs in Malaysia. Zero import, excise, and road tax for EVs. You would’ve also likely Googled EVs for sale in Malaysia to see if you can get your hands on one, and found out that the most affordable EV in Malaysia (until the Hyundai Kona Electric arrives) is currently the Nissan Leaf.

At the moment, the Nissan Leaf is priced at RM 181,263, before duty exemptions outlined in Budget 2022. The new price will only be announced next year, like all other EV manufacturers operating in Malaysia.

Bear in mind that the Leaf - at RM 181k - is already exempted from import duty under the Japan-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA), while excise tax is currently already at a very low 10 percent for EVs. Even with zero excise tax, you’re looking at an estimated price of RM 170k. You can also blame our weak Ringgit for that.

Also read: Weak Ringgit to push up new car prices in Malaysia, regardless if it’s CKD or CBU

But let’s focus on the Nissan Leaf, which I’ve lived with for nearly a week and it’s one of the most interesting experiences I’ve had with a car.

Exterior – A sexy Prius

Some think a low-slung sports car gets the attention of females, but as many of my male friends with said car will object, it’s the complete opposite. The Nissan Leaf, however, seems to appear favourably amongst the ladies regardless of age.

“Looks like a sexy Prius,” quoting a friend. And I have to say, I don’t disagree. It’s sharp, with angular headlamps that ties in to the V-motion grille. It inspired the current-generation Nissan Almera.

There’s blacked-out C-pillar that gives the floating roof effect, blending nicely with the two-tone tailgate and the boomerang-style taillamps. Overall, I just like the cohesiveness and proportions of the exterior.

Interior – Like stepping back into time

You know the phrase “Beauty is on the inside”? Yeah, that doesn’t apply to the Nissan Leaf, sadly. This interior is the poster child for rental cars or taxis. If you step from the Nissan Leaf and into the cheaper Mazda 3, for example, it’s like going from a school hostel to Grand Hyatt hotel.

Strangely, the Nissan Almera’s interior actually has higher perceived quality with its contrasting leather on the dashboard. Plus, the infotainment system in the Almera actually belongs in the 21st century, unlike the Leaf. Never mind Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, pairing a new device via Bluetooth successfully is an achievement in the Leaf after countless error messages.

Once connected, the sadness continues as you play your favourite tunes. Audio reproduction is underwhelming to say the least - it sounds like one of those CRT TVs before LCD took over.

Also, being an EV, there’s no need to adhere to the typical constraints of a combustion-engine car. Without the need for a transmission tunnel, the entire centre console can be freed up for a massive cubby space. But in the Leaf, it’s just a pocket. Even the electric parking brake hasn’t freed up additional storage spaces.

Did I mention that the steering wheel lacks telescopic adjustment (you sit in slightly perched manner, like in a van) and there’s no rear air vents? Perhaps I’m being overly harsh towards the Leaf, but this is a RM 181k car. 

On one hand, it can be described at dull but on the other, you can call it unpretentious, perhaps even ergonomic as every button or switch is where you’d expect it to be. You can just get in it and drive without learning how the Leaf works.

Driving Experience – One-pedal driving is the future

If you’ve experienced plug-in hybrids (PHEV), then you’d have already experienced the silent start-up and instantaneous torque delivery. It’s more of the same in an EV, in the Leaf.

If you haven’t been exposed to PHEVs, it can be a peculiar sensation at first. Upon start-up, there’s no engine sound nor the vibration that usually accompanies it. Flick it into drive and the car just feels like it’s levitating along at parking speeds.

Steering is light, though the ratio is on the slower side, meaning you’d have to apply more steering input to get around turns. It goes around corners obediently without any dramas or unwanted behaviours.

Brakes are not the best example of calibration, as the transition of regenerative braking to the actual brakes can be slightly abrupt, applying more braking pressure than anticipated.

There’s a system called e-Pedal, which can be activated at a flick of a switch on the centre console. Once engaged, it accelerates normally as you would expect by stepping on the throttle pedal, but when you lift off the pedal, the car slows down and even to a standstill as if the brake pedal is depressed (yes, the brake lights do come on).

This is also another peculiar experience at first but once you get the hang of it, it’s quite a neat feature that simplifies driving. You just need one pedal, most of the time. It actually helps train your throttle modulation and traffic speed estimation.

Speaking of traffic, you can exploit just about any gaps in traffic with the instant torque. Just point and shoot at any speeds. It won’t take off like a mule on crack, instead it’s a relatively smooth delivery that’s more than sufficient for a daily runabout. We clocked its 0-100 km/h sprint time at 8.2 seconds.

Ride Comfort – Moving insulated room

If the interior is a let-down, then the refinement levels would be its redeeming quality. The Nissan Leaf is a supremely quiet car to travel in, as expected from an EV.

The well-judged suspension translates to a smooth ride quality. There’s a hint of firmness, but it never gets crashy or uncomfortable. Going over potholes or sharp edges gives a solid thud, rather than an empty clank.

The seats are more couch-like rather than those bucket-type that hugs around your body. Nevertheless, it’s comfortable and the pressure points are evenly distributed around the back. Nissan doesn't market them as Zero Gravity Seats, but they do feel rather similar.

At the rear, the seats are noticeably higher than the fronts so the rear passengers have a decent view out. The seat back is slightly too upright for my liking and the seat base is rather short, lacking in thigh support.

As for the cabin noise levels, it’s hushed at all speeds. Vibrations from the road are also well-isolated. Combine the quietness and smooth riding characteristics, it’s a relaxing car to travel in - a car you’d want to be in to unwind after a long day at work.

Metaphorically speaking, the Nissan Leaf is like a moving sensory deprivation tank (not that I've experienced it, but there's very little to hear or feel) or an insulated room. A place for you to de-stress.

Driving Range and Charging Time

The Nissan Leaf uses a Type 1 port for AC charging and CHAdeMO for DC fast charging. If this sounds like alien language, you can refer to our guide to EV charging here. Most EVs sold here use Type 2 port and so do most of the charging stations.

Also read: What is CHAdeMO and CCS? Everything you need to know about charging EVs

This means for AC charging in the Nissan Leaf, you’ll need a Type 1 to Type 2 adapter (male-to-male) to plug into a typical wallbox. For charging stations that have a tethered cable, you’ll need a female-to-male adapter. DC fast chargers usually have a CHAdeMO cable tethered, so that’s less of a concern.

Over the course of one week, I’ve managed to clock between 150 – 180 km from a 100% charge down to 20%, with the onboard trip computer indicating a remaining range of about 50 km. Realistically, you’re looking at a real-world range of around 250 km on a full charge.

A 50 kW DC charger, which is the maximum charging rate for the Nissan Leaf, will take around 30 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%. Charging from a wall box that is rated at 6.6 kW, the Nissan Leaf will require around 7 hours to be fully charged.

For city dwellers, the driving range is sufficient to ward off range anxiety, assuming you know where the charge points are. Yours truly is fortunate enough to live near a 50 kW DC fast charger (ABB at Sunway) that was available to charge at every single visit and it's free for now. When there are more EVs on the road, it might not be the case anymore.

Conclusion

Judging the Nissan Leaf as a RM 180k car, it’s easy to be critical on the interior and the lack of amenities. It feels outdated and selection of materials are below just about every car at this price point.

This highlights just how much more expensive EVs are to make. The Nissan Leaf’s current price is already close to zero tax - zero import duty under Japan-Malaysia FTA, only 10 percent excise tax, and 5% SST. A tax-free Nissan Leaf won’t be much cheaper than the current price.

But as a gateway to the fully-electrified world, I can’t think of any other EV more suited for the job than the Nissan Leaf. Its conventionality, which I found to be dull, becomes a quality. Anyone can get into the Leaf and drive as they always have.

There’s minimal learning curve to operating the Nissan Leaf; just get in, push the power button, put it in drive, release the parking brake, and off you go. Every button is where you’d expect it to be, no surprising discoveries or hidden features.

And the best part of having an EV - much less maintenance than combustion-engine cars. There's no engine oil to change, fewer moving parts in general, and even brake wear is reduced due to regenerative braking.

In terms of the charging infrastructure, it’s an ongoing development and will be for a while. For now, you will need to plan your routes accordingly to stave off range anxiety in the Nissan Leaf, and that’s within Klang Valley.

I wouldn’t recommend exploring the outskirts in the Leaf or any EV for that matter. It's possible, but there's just way too much mental gymnastics required and all you need is another car blocking / hogging the spot or a broken charger to derail your travel plans.

If your routine only involves travelling back and forth to the office with the occasional grocery runs, then why not an EV? The Nissan Leaf would be a perfect starting point.

Also read: Confused by EV terms? Here's everything you need to know