Topic: Nissan Leaf

Testing of the Ford Focus Electric and other EVs has revealed significant "white knuckle" range anxiety due to wildly fluctuating battery gauges. The estimated mileage often drops or rises unpredictably based on driving conditions, making long trips stressful. A proposal is made to patent a more accurate battery measurement system that integrates mapping software and altitude data to provide reliable range estimates.

An ABC News report on rising gas prices is criticized for transitioning into a lengthy advertisement for the Nissan Leaf electric car. The hosts suggest the report follows a "script" intended to push consumers toward electric vehicles while predicting $6 per gallon gas by the summer. They also point out potential conflicts of interest between ABC News executives and the Obama administration.

The Obama administration is promoting advanced battery manufacturing as a path to energy independence and job creation. Despite government subsidies and tax rebates of up to $7,500, sales for electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt remain low, with only a few hundred units sold monthly. Critics argue the vehicles are overpriced for the average consumer even with state and federal incentives.

The BBC show Top Gear is accused of staging a segment to make the Nissan Leaf electric car appear unreliable by starting a race with a partially depleted battery. Host Jeremy Clarkson reportedly defended the manipulation as "how television works." The hosts compare this to a previous controversy involving Tesla.

The push for electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf is criticized for both the aesthetic design of the cars and the underlying reliance on lithium. The segment characterizes these vehicles as "slave mobiles" designed to limit mobility while fulfilling government energy mandates.