Nissan Leaf Test Drive at Livestrong Challenge. Daddy Clay and his two sons head to the Expo for the Livestrong Challenge fitness and fundraising event and while there meet champion cyclists and test drive the new Nissan Leaf. We interviewed professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer, and got a sense of the sacrifices required of an Olympic medalist and Tour de France stage winner. He also explains the Innovation for Endurance initiative. Meanwhile, Daddy Clay likes the roominess of the Leaf, the torque off the line, and the electronic gadgetry. Daddy Clay's teen son declares the car very un-golf-cart-like. It's the DadLabs version of Top Gear, as we take a look at the Nissan Leaf. Hosted by Clay Nichols. Episode 819 is brought to you by BabyBjorn.

Daddy Clay:  I am down here with my boys at the Expo for the Livestrong Challenge. We're going get to talk to some interesting bike riders and also test‑drive the new Nissan LEAF. [music]
Daddy Clay:  Here we are inside the all‑electric Nissan LEAF. Unlike the Prius, which I had driven before there is no motor in this car, it is all‑electric and battery driven. We've got this official pace car of the Livestrong Marathon and that makes cops wave at you, even when you are doing something highly illegal. We're just out here driving electric vehicles for charity, what could possibly go wrong?
Levi Leipheimer:  Livestrong Challenge. We got a bike ride, here, going on tomorrow, and I think there was a 5K run this morning. Of course its all for raising money for cancer research and patient care. Innovation for Endurance is a great way for some of the mentors like Chris Carmichael and myself to blog, do some videos, interview some other experts in the field of cycling about training, nutrition.
Daddy Clay:  One of the great things about an all‑electric vehicle, in addition to offering all these great ecological benefits, there's no emissions in this car. It makes me feel good about having children. Unfortunately because of the silent engine, I can also hear them.
Boy:  Hah, you're funny dad. Hah‑hah.
Levi:  I definitely do remember my first bike. I mean the first time I ever watched the Tour De France on television, I knew that's what I wanted to do. Of course, when you are 13, you don't know for sure if it'll happen or not. But I knew enough that I was going to dedicate my life to it, and give it my best shot.
Daddy Clay:  One of the real dangers of all‑electric motors is that torque. All that torque is available as soon as you put your foot on the accelerator. In the backseat we've got my giant 13‑year‑old, my somewhat oversized 7‑year‑old, and a gigantic cameraman all crammed in the backseat. Which says something really positive about the interior space in this car. Hey. Look at that. Charging stations, located by the navigation system, allow you to make sure that you don't get stranded anywhere, which is of course one of the concerns that consumers have about all‑electric vehicles. I've got 57 miles left until this car conks out and me and the kids are hitchhiking, which is much easier when you have cute children with you, by the way. But you can also improve the efficiency of the vehicle by pressing a couple of buttons and cutting out the air‑conditioning and some of the electronic bells and whistles, which will leave you sweaty, but much more green.
Levi:  I am definitely not a balanced person. I work hard and I love what I do and it just doesn't get old for me. I go out there and I push myself daily. I suffer daily and a lot of people would look at that and say that's not balanced. It's obvious I have to rest a lot, because I am working so hard on the bike. But that's what I love to do, and if I am not doing it enough, I am not happy and it's not who I am, so that's my balance.
Daddy Clay:  Final thoughts guys?
Boy:  I thought it didn't feel like a golf cart, which I thought was going to be like.
Daddy Clay:  Its very un‑golf cart like.
Boy:  It accelerates more than the Prius.
Daddy Clay:  True. I think it will be a pretty dang good car for a man that really cares about environmental issues, and had kids, and needed to get everybody around but didn't have to drive to very far. All right, Nissan LEAF. Now for the Top Gear analysis. We want to thank our sponsors Baby Bjorn . After a tough workout, everybody wants a nap, including the kids. That's when the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light comes in.
We've will see you next time, here in the Lab.