On Tuesday, Nissan Motor Co. announced plans to introduce an updated version of its Leaf electric car, featuring improved driving distance and faster charging capabilities. This new model will be rolled out first in North America during the autumn season, then subsequently launched in Japan before the end of the current year and finally hitting European markets sometime next year.
In 2010, Nissan launched the Leaf as the global pioneer in mass-producing electric vehicles. Now, they aim for the third generation of this model to revitalize their position within a fiercely competitive electric vehicle sector, where American firm Tesla Inc. and Chinese company BYD Co. have significantly grown in prominence.
"At a press conference, Nissan’s Chief Product Specialist Keiji Endo stated, 'We aim for this to become the standard EV model down the line,' expressing his desire to present it as an option for consumers considering gas or hybrid cars. He also highlighted, ‘This demonstrates Nissan’s firm dedication to attaining carbon neutrality by 2050,’”
In response to consumers' worries regarding the range and charging requirements of electric cars, Nissan announced that the updated model will feature a battery with a capability of 75 kilowatt-hours, which represents an increase of at least 25% compared to the present model.
The country’s third-biggest car manufacturer announced that the improved battery not only offers increased power but also faster charging times. This upgrade allows the latest Leaf to travel up to 303 miles (or 487.6 kilometers) in the United States, compared to the present model's range of 212 miles.
The U.S. version has also incorporated the North American Charging Standard connector, allowing for charging at Tesla's Supercharger stations.
The improved fast-charging capability enables the latest models to regain up to 130 miles of driving range after only 15 minutes of charging when the battery temperature is at 25°C — this represents roughly twice the rate compared to the present Leaf model.
Its main target will be Europe, as U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to review predecessor Joe Biden's incentives to promote EVs is expected to dampen demand in the United States, Endo said, adding there is currently no plan for its introduction in China.
The updated Leaf model will undergo assembly at the Tochigi Plant in Japan as well as at a site in Sunderland, located in northeastern England. Vehicles destined for the American market will be transported via ship from Tochigi.
Nissan stated that pricing will be offered approximately one month prior to the commencement of sales in their respective regions.
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