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Post by arsharpe on Feb 20, 2013 8:45:20 GMT 11
We are trying to introduce a Nissan Leaf as the first electric taxi in our county in the UK. Unfortunately, in order to fulfill the local taxi regulations it needs to have a full sized spare wheel. The UK models do not come with any spare wheel. Therefore I am going to have to consider fitting the Australian option.
I would appreciate if anyone can help me assess if a full sized wheel will fit into the cage and not protrude below the bottom of the vehicle. If it would protrude do you think it would be possible to modify the assembly (e.g. any spacer) to keep it within the underbody profile ?
Thanks in advance,
Rob
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 20, 2013 17:19:02 GMT 11
No, a full sized wheel will not fit in the cage provided on my LEAF - I tried and failed >:(and it does specify in the manual that a wheel with a puncture has to be carried in the boot while the spare wheel is fitted because it will not fit in the cage, which is only designed to carry the smaller spare wheel, which fits snugly in the cage  |
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Post by Brian on Feb 20, 2013 22:11:25 GMT 11
Welcome to the Forum, Rob. I hope you succeed.
Option 1. Get the regulations changed ! When I last heard, regulations said that London Cabbies had to carry spare hay for their horses.
Option 2. I have had a look at the underside, but there are a series of ( ? brake ) cables that would prevent raising the spare wheel stowage. I would have thought a competant welder could fabricate a new spare wheel ' cage ' ( or modify the Australian one ), so as to accept the standard wheel. Yes, the result might hang down a bit lower than the inter-back-wheel transverse bar. But, if you don't mount kerbs, or go cross country, I would have thought you would still have ample ground clearance. And certainly more than many sports cars.
Option 3. The 2012 LEAF, as released in Australia, had a large 3.3 kW transformer that was mounted under a bulky transverse housing behind the back seats. I believe the 2013 LEAF will have a much smaller ( but larger capacity ) 6.6 kW charger that is now fitted under the bonnet. Pics I have seen appear to indicate that the ' bulky housing ' has been significantly reduced. This might leave sufficient space for a full size spare to be mounted vertically, ( and East/West ) behind the back seats, without reducing the boot space.
BTW, which county ?
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