A new 30kW battery in the Nissan Leaf will go on sale in December, delivering a claimed range of 155 miles.
It will go on sale alongside the 24kW unit but will only be available in Acenta and Tekna trim, priced from £24,490 to £27,940 including the UK government’s £5000 Plug-in grant, which was recently extended until February 2016.
Nissan is also increasing its warranty for the 30kW unit to an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
The new battery brings an increase in range of around 25% over the alternative 24kW unit, according to Nissan. It has the same dimensions as the lesser-powered unit but is 21kg heavier. The manufacturer says this longer range is the result of the introduction of carbon, nitrogen and magnesium to the electrodes in the new unit.
Nissan expects the real-world range of the new battery to be around 12-15% less than the claimed 155 miles, representing a similar loss to the 24kW unit. This would put the new battery's real-world range at around the 135-mile mark.
In Acenta and Tekna trims, the 30kW Leaf comes with a 7.0in touchscreen and the smartphone-compatible Nissan Connect EV infotainment system, which allows users to check the charge status of the car and remotely control features such as the air-con. The system the previous Car Wings set-up.
The new infotainment package includes a charging map that can show which charging points are available and which are being used. It also delivers maintainance alerts and a car-finder facility.
Exterior alterations are minimal and include a new roof-mounted aerial as well as the choice of a new bronze colour.
"It's a game changer for Nissan," said EV director for Europe Jean-Pierre Diernaz. "This increased range will have an impact on the perception of our electric vehicles and will open it up to a wider market."
Diernaz also added that the Leaf range could expand in the future to new electric models.
"It's possible," he said. "We will take this technology, improve it, and we are looking at putting it wherever it is relevant for us as a line-up expansion, and where it is releveant for a consumer.
"This new battery is just the beginning of something bigger," he added. "The next milestone is a range of over 180 miles."
Earlier this year Nissan expanded the Leaf trim range with a new Acenta+ version, sitting between Acenta and range-topping Tekna priced at £24,740 including the plug-in grant.
Join the debate
LP in Brighton
Never mind the wheel size, how far will it go?
marj
LP in Brighton wrote: It's a
I'm confused by your comment as the article clearly states:
"Exterior alterations are minimal and include a new roof-mounted aerial as well as the choice of a new bronze colour.
"It's a game changer for Nissan," said EV director for Europe Jean-Pierre Diernaz. "This increased range will have an impact on the perception of our electric vehicles and will open it up to a wider market."
The increasing range is a massive plus point. Nissan like others, are still trying to recoup some of the massive investment and R&D costs so it might be why the price to the customer is still high compared to a Pulsar for example. I am sure as value engineering and the ability to integrate cheaper and more advanced technology the cost of these vehicles will become more competitive. As a car, regardless of fuel source, the Note isn't too bad, the main obstacle is to stop the customer seeing or realising the difference on how it is powered. I've got a feeling the next generation of EVs will be the turning point.
Jeremy
Appropriate name
ordinary bloke
Good car, shame about the looks.
Adrian987
Depreciation is elephant in room
xxxx
Cue
xxxx
2017
Moparman
Rarity in these parts
marj
Next generation
Cé hé sin
Range
Add your comment