Nissan LEAF decked out as a Christmas Tree highlights the power of regenerative energy

Nissan highlights the power of regenerative energy in electric cars by decking out a Nissan LEAF as a Christmas Tree, lit by regenerated energy.

Everyone tells you that driving an electric car is just like driving an ICE car, but with a very quiet cabin and instant torque when you shove down with your right floor. And it is, although it’s a different ‘feel’ to driving an ICE car but just as enjoyable and, in all the ways that matter, just the same.

But there is one aspect of electric cars that does change the driving experience, and that’s the level of regenerative braking used, from a little to a lot, with the ‘lot’ bit allowing effective one-pedal use – or e-Pedal as Nissan call it.

It’s rather counter intuitive to start with, but once you get the hang of it, particularly around town, it seems a bit of a no-brainer to use and a very similar learning curve to the first time you drove an automatic after years of driving manual cars.

But using heavy regenerative braking does have advantages beyond easier driving in urban environments, and that’s the power it magics back in to the car at no cost.

Nissan are highlighting that regenerative power by decking out a Nissan LEAF like a Christmas Tree (above), fitted with thousands of LEDs, baubles and Christmassy bits powered by regenerated energy.

Nissan points out that over 11,000 miles the LEAF can regenerate 774kWh of free energy, the equivalent of 20 per cent of the average household’s energy use and enough to power an oven for 297 hours or 3,720 hours of TV.

Helen Perry, Head of Electric Vehicles for Europe, said:

We hope this custom-made vehicle inspires people about the benefits of regenerative energy. After nearly ten years since LEAF was first introduced in Europe, Nissan continues to be fully focused on providing consumers a more sustainable lifestyle through electric mobility.

And if you own an EV, or are planning to get one, do make sure you give the heaviest regenerative setting you can a good go. It really does make driving simpler, and saves you money.