Importing my EV from UK and the long journey home from London area to Cork – 550km

Thanks for your help. A test drive this weekend I think!

We used to use public transport to commute but we've found a car favourable as:
A) In winter, time is similar and don't get soaked/cold etc
In Summer, it's half the time due to lower traffic
C) Always get a seat!

The commute is only a 17mile round trip everyday but averaging 24mpg in town and have noticed an increase in wear and tear. I have to do a 200 mile round trip 2-3 times/month to Belfast depending on requirements so will need a second car regardless unless I'm happier with longer trip time - this is the thing that puts me off a bit as I'll still have ICE costs. However, I reckon I can do 6000 miles out of the 12000 or so in an EV, with the rest in a decent motorway cruiser. There have been a few times recently when 2 cars would have been handy too.

What is the likelihood of being able to get to Newry from Dublin (~65miles) on a charge without crawling?

How much is a service for a Leaf and how often is it required?

A2020 wrote: »

Is there an import charge when you come off the ferry in dublin

No. You can drive it home without issue.

You've a few days to book the vrt, which will be €0 anyway, and a month to get her reregistered.

A2020 wrote: »

Is there anyway of checking the battery is owned.

I contacted Nissan finance (along with obviously having the dealer confirm same) and asked them to confirm that the battery for that vehicle was not on their books.

They were wishy-washy in giving me a definitive answer - but I kept pressing them - and ultimately, they confirmed - not a lease.

(Just to add - I was assuming you mean once you've selected a car. If you're shopping for a car, it can be a nightmare. Some of the sellers declare it up front - stating either "battery owned" or "battery leased" or Flex (which is the marketing term for the lease deal). You have to tease this out with each seller in a lot of instances.

It gets better still if you're trying to buy a 2013 (change-over year with mk.1 and mk 1.5 cars on the market) and/or trying to source a leaf with 6.6kW charging. A lot of the dealers simply don't even know what you're talking about with regard to the last 2 points! For shopping purposes, its a total headwrecker. However, it can also work to your advantage. The car I've a deposit on has 6.6kW charging - dealer didn't even know it had it.

A2020 wrote: »

Thank you for your answer. I have a deposit on a acenta +. I will try calling nissan finance on Monday the sales person told me I knew more about the leaf then he did as I was trying to get him to send me a picture of the leaf spy page still I don't think he understood me but I will try to get him to send it on Monday he said it was an x demo car

Are you buying from an independent car sales place or a nissan dealer?


Most of these guys don't know what they're selling. I'm not even in the EV world yet and seem to know more than them - just like your experience. That said, Leafspy is an independent app - so nissan dealers probably won't provide that data.

A2020 wrote: »

We are buying from harratts nissan sheffield ( bristol street motors) a Nissan franchise. Just hope it all goes well
Who are you buying from.

I'm sure it will go fine. You have plenty of warranty left to fall back on.

I'm buying from an independent in Lancs.

A2020 wrote: »

Did anyone get a charger fitted in there house from nissan ireland arranged by uk nissan ??

Don't think it's possible unless you're paying full price for the charger? The chargers in the UK are part of the UK scheme which Rep. of Ireland is not eligible for. And because you're buying second hand you're not eligible for the Irish install either.

Be interested if you found a way around it though

Is there a spotters guide to determining if its a mk1 or mk1.5 on the swap over year if 2013? I was using the colour of the interior changing from cream to a darker charcoal. But there must be a more scientific way

isnottheword wrote: »

There's a few ways. AC button will be located to the left of centre (rather than right of centre) if gen 1.5.

Thanks - Does that also mean that using my method of the colour of the interior is also a valid way of spotting Gen 1.5's ?

as is the eco button on the steering wheel (it's no there in gen 1)