Living Electric in the Land of the Brave: A Namibian’s Experience Driving a Nissan Leaf

When most people think of Namibia, they picture sweeping desert dunes, wildlife wandering across vast plains, or the cool Atlantic breeze brushing over Swakopmund. But there’s a growing part of our landscape that doesn’t get as much attention: the rise of electric mobility. And at the heart of this quiet revolution is one little car that hums instead of roars—the Nissan Leaf.

As more Namibians look for alternatives to rising fuel prices, the Leaf has slowly begun appearing in Windhoek’s parking lots, Walvis Bay’s port, and even the occasional gravel road. Here’s what it’s actually like for a Namibian citizen to own and drive one.

First Impressions: Silence in a Noisy World
The first thing every new Leaf driver in Namibia notices is the silence. Start the car in a busy taxi-filled street in Windhoek, and you’ll wonder if it’s actually on. There's no vibration, no fumes, no early-morning engine drama—just a soft digital chime saying, “Yes, I’m awake.”