Nissan has released the all-new, third generation LEAF, and this is a beautiful design and tech revolution.
Riding on the range
Over 300 miles of range and a world of design difference separate the original Nissan LEAF, that first hit Japanese and U.S. markets in 2010 and the latest stunning iteration that Nissan launched, today. The original LEAF had a range of just 73 miles. You felt good if you managed to get to the shops and back without needing to charge (not that there were any chargers in 2011). The latest LEAF has a range anxiety busting 375 miles of range. That’s on a par with the latest Model Y Long Range electric vehicle. This huge 300 plus mile improvement show just how far EVs have come in a few short years.
Nissan needed a car to bring back its EV leadership, and the new LEAF looks like it will do precisely that.
The new LEAF is a looker
Let’s talk looks. The original LEAF was kooky, kooky cool for some, kooky cranky for many. This was a time when it was felt that being an EV needed something very different, and not necessarily in a way that would appeal to the mainstream. The new LEAF looks cool. Super cool.
These are the words of the marketing lead at Nissan, Arnaud Charpentier,
“With the all-new LEAF, we are delivering an electric vehicle that blends elegance, confidence, and breakthrough range – wrapped in a design that’s as smart as it is emotional. It brings the best of Nissan innovation to the mainstream, and we’re incredibly excited to introduce it to European roads.”
Although the range is top end, the charging speed at 150kW is not the fastest. It’s in line with most super fast charger, though. The new LEAF benefits from Google integration, so this promises great visibility of charging infrastructure, key to delivering range assurance.
Connected to everyday life and infra
The new LEAF has some top end vehicle to everyday life: Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality; and vehicle to energy infrastructure tech: Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) tech. Nissan was a leader in V2G back in the day.
V2L enables external device charging directly from the car, powering a variety of small to medium sized devices – such as kettles, portable lights, or electric grills – when camping or exploring the great outdoors. Leveraging an available accessory adaptor, driver will be able to utilise an external V2L charging port to power devices, accessing up to 3.6kW of power.
With V2G, the new LEAF will be able to send stored energy back to the power grid. This function will help customers reduce energy costs while supporting a more stable and sustainable energy system.
“The all-new LEAF reflects our commitment to delivering EVs that exceed expectations – not just in range, performance and technology, but in how seamlessly they integrate into the daily lives of our customers,” said Clíodhna Lyons, Region Vice President, Product and Services Planning, Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania). “This evolution of our iconic nameplate represents the very best version of itself – it’s smarter, more connected, and more capable for a new generation of drivers.”
Produced in Nissan’s EV36Zero Hub in Sunderland
The all-new LEAF will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK, one of the most advanced EV production hubs in Europe, and a key pillar of the company’s EV36Zero initiative – Nissan’s blueprint for zero-emission mobility and localised EV manufacturing, that aims to transform Sunderland Plant into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production in sustainable car manufacture.
Orders will begin this autumn, with first deliveries set for spring, next year.
