Nissan’s premier fully electric car, the Leaf, will be replaced by an all-new second-generation version in 2018 and by then will be offered with a variety of battery (and therefore, range) options to fit different price points.
According the Autocar UK, this range of battery capacities would take the Leaf far beyond its current NEDC quoted range of 200km (via its standard 24kWh battery) up to around 540km – a change that could open up the Leaf to a more mainstream audience and effectively end any range anxiety stopping prospective buyers.
Gareth Dunsmore, director of Nissan’s zero emissions business unit, told Autocar that such a capacity could be “viable for production” by 2018 should these cells meet their durability and pricing requirements. That timeframe matches the Leaf’s replacement window perfectly although he did not specify any model specifically.
“We have two battery options now, and will grow options, making it more accessible with a longer range and a price to match,” Dunsmore added.
The strategy to offer larger battery capacities at higher prices mirrors the one Tesla is using in their Model S, Model X and later their mass market Model 3. That pricing model has, in a way, laid the groundwork for the next Leaf (which Nissan did sort of preview with the IDS concept last year) should Nissan go down this route, and result in an audience more welcoming to the proposition of a Leaf instead of a petrol/diesel powered hatchback.
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more and more widespread, especially in larger cars where fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are more of a serious issue. Yet, Nissan has not offered such a powertrain where rivals such as Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi have. When asked about the possibility of Nissan offering plug-in hybrids in its model range, Dunsmore said:
“When you are driving a plug-in, you have an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. You use the engine most of the time and it makes emissions worse. I see their relevance, but there is a compromise. I’m glad we took the step and built up a leadership in electric vehicles,”
“Nissan showed bravery 10 years ago to invest $4 billion ($5.35 billion AUD) in electric vehicles, and all that bravery has built up expertise that’s unparalleled. Other brands are now fellow pioneers. EVs are a real and viable alternative, and we’re now heading towards tangible benefits in cities and for the climate.”
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