2019 Nissan LEAF e-Plus First Drive: Capable, Competent 226-Mile EV

The world’s best-selling electric vehicle joins the 200-mile club.

The Nissan LEAF hit a rough patch in early 2017. That’s when it was upstaged by the 238-mile Chevy Bolt, which scored more than twice the LEAF’s sales in the US that year. The second-generation LEAF upped its range to 151 miles in 2018 – and improved its design – but Nissan was still not competitive on range. At last, Nissan will put the past two years in the rear-view mirror when the new, big-battery 2019 LEAF Plus goes on sale in March.

Last week, we took a first drive in the long-awaited 62 kilowatt-hour Plus version of the Nissan LEAF. Our route was a mix of city, highway, and meandering coastal roads near San Diego. The day shifted from brilliant California sunshine to a February drizzle. But our top-of-the-line 2019 LEAF Plus SL steadily delivered on the expected range – using less than half the pack’s energy for the 112-mile journey.

2019 Nissan LEAF Plus (Photos by Bradley Berman)

I was gentle on the accelerator for the most trip and engaged the car’s heavy-regen e-Pedal function. Other journalists at the event pushed the performance of the LEAF’s motor and refrained from e-Pedal – burning through more than half the pack in the same distance. Similar aggressive driving could reduce the LEAF Plus’s range to the edge of the 200-mile mark.

Power Boost

The LEAF Plus’s extra power really kicks in at about 50 miles per hour. (Source: Nissan)

The story of the LEAF Plus, imminently arriving at dealerships across the United States, is not only about its impressive 50-percent increase in range. There’s also a 46-percent increase in output from its motor. The jump from 147 horsepower to 214-hp was visceral during our drive, especially during highway passing maneuvers at speed.

The extra oomph was less evident in town. Perhaps the additional 345 pounds of weight compared to the standard LEAF – of which 300 pounds come from the expansion from 192 to 288 cells in the pack – minimized the impact of the added horsepower. Nissan officials said the LEAF Plus’s zero-to-60 time is about seven seconds, a one-second advantage over the standard LEAF.

With the introduction of the LEAF Plus, Nissan is openly targeting the 238-mile Bolt, as well as the 239-mile Kia Niro EV and the 258-mile Hyundai Kona Electric. “We see the LEAF Plus as a conquest vehicle,” said Jeff Wandell, manager of EV communications for Nissan. “We’re in the game now.”

The Price Is Right

Official pricing for the LEAF Plus is not yet available, but Wandell said that the LEAF Plus would be “very competitive from a pricing standpoint.” That probably means the LEAF Plus base S trim will start around $36,000 with the upper SV and SL versions topping out in the mid-$40,000s.

Also, consider that the Bolt’s $7,500 federal tax credit will be phased out over the next year because General Motors reached the 200,000-sales limit. And Hyundai-Kia is not selling its fine EVs across the entire country. So the standard and Plus versions of the LEAF are well positioned.

Any conquests will be won based on price and availability – despite the LEAF Plus still slightly lagging in the range game. Official EPA range numbers are not yet published. But Nissan said the target for the LEAF Plus S is 226 miles – while the better-equipped SV and SL versions are targeted at only 215 miles.

Nissan explained that reduced range in the upper trims is due to a combination of added weight, the use of 17-inch rather than 16-inch wheels, and changes in rolling resistance between the S’s Bridgestone Ecopias and the SV/SL’s Michelin Energy Saver tires.

“We’re in the game now,” said Nissan.

Drivers of the LEAF Plus will easily make up those last few miles of range by engaging Nissan’s aggressive e-Pedal function. If I owned the LEAF Plus, I would use it all the time despite how the e-Pedal makes the accelerator pedal feels too restrictive (almost sticky) in stop-and-go traffic. On the other hand, in San Diego, the e-Pedal made for delightful cruising along sweeping roadways above 30 miles per hour. When engaged, e-Pedal removes vehicle creep.

Same On The Inside

The LEAF Plus’s cabin is unaltered from the standard version, despite the bigger battery pack. Nissan cleverly altered the battery’s configuration with cells placed three (rather than two) in parallel. “We now have a flexible architecture with modules of different sizes,” said Nate Herbrandson, manager of durability and reliability at Nissan. The LEAF Plus also utilizes four millimeters of the standard version’s “dead space” under the cabin – and lowers the ride height by about six millimeters.

The LEAF is right in line in terms of passenger and cargo volume compared to its chief competitors. Regardless, there’s something about the LEAF’s layout that doesn’t quite work for my 6-foot-4-inch frame. The driver’s seat doesn’t travel quite far enough back for me to extend my leg – therefore it digs into the center console. At the same time, my seating position behind the steering wheel is too high for ideal visibility forward and through the tapered windshield. Most adult passengers will be snug in the rear seats.

The LEAF’s seats and the skillful combination of hard and soft plastics, and racing-style steering wheel, are arguably nicer than what GM offers in the Bolt. The Plus’s larger 8-inch screen, now with pinch-and-zoom gestures, is a welcome upgrade. (Based on my recent drive of the Niro EV, the Kia electric crossover is better appointed than either the Nissan or Chevy.)

Nissan remains committed to the CHAdeMO quick-charging. The LEAF Plus version uses a special logo on the port.

Nissan is sticking with the CHAdeMO quick-charging standard and the use of passive air cooling of the battery (rather than liquid-cooling). Herbrandson, who is based at Nissan’s Arizona testing center, told me that liquid cooling “wasn’t necessary” for this vehicle. The bigger battery will be taxed less. “You can’t accidentally damage this battery by overheating it,” he said.

The Nissan Plus can now accommodate up to 100 kilowatts of juice – a measure of future-proofing for the EV. Although Nissan executives admitted that only about 10 CHAdeMO stations in the country are now equipped for 100 kilowatts. On a more practical note, the LEAF Plus’s standard portable charging unit can now handle Level 2 240-volt charging. So purchasing a separate home charger can be avoided.

Keyword: Affordability

The 62-kWh LEAF Plus handles with confidence while checking off all the essential boxes for good, reliable transportation in a compact electric hatch. When it hits dealerships in a few weeks, Nissan will uniquely be able to compete at two price levels.

The existing 150-mile LEAF, which starts just below $30,000, stacks up well against the likes of the 124-mile Volkswagen E-Golf and 124-mile Hyundai Ioniq Electric. And the new competent, high-tech, long-range LEAF Plus can go up against the Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Kona EV, and the Kia Niro Electric. This strata of EV roughly sells in the low-$40,000s.

“The motto for Nissan always been to mass-market a good electric vehicle at an affordable price,” said Jean-Phillipe Lattes, senior manager of EV marketing and sales for Nissan North America. In my chat with Lattes, he threw in an apparent dig at Tesla for not yet achieving its affordability goals. “It’s almost easy to make a $60,000 or $70,000 EV,” he told me. Lattes said Nissan is committed to continuing to offer the 40-kWh model for around $30,000.

Lattes added that there’s a “huge market” for consumers that insist on an EV with at least 200 miles of range. Our brief first hours with the LEAF Plus revealed that Nissan now has a compelling option for those buyers.

Nissan Reveals LEAF e-Plus: 62 kWh Battery, 226-Mile Range

With Nissan LEAF e+ you get more of everything

Here is the long-awaited Nissan LEAF e+ with a higher capacity battery pack, more range and more power, unveiled at the 2019 CES in Las Vegas.

First, let’s start with the name – Nissan LEAF e+ is the global name for the car, but particularly in the U.S. and Canada, Nissan would like to name the top of the line version – the LEAF PLUS Series. There will be three trim levels: LEAF S PLUS, LEAF SV PLUS and LEAF SL PLUS.

Market launch plan:

• Japan – January 2019
• U.S. – Spring 2019 (pricing to be announced closer to on-sale date)
  
• Europe – Mid-2019

62 kWh battery and 226 miles (364 km) of EPA range

The most eagerly anticipated news is about the battery and range. A few years ago we were expecting something around 60 kWh and it seems that Nissan delivered even a little more – 62 kWh, which is by the way on par with the latest competitors in its price range.

The 62 kWh of energy is 55% more than the base 40 kWh battery option (which still remains on the market). As the lithium-ion battery cells are more energy dense (25%), the pack size is almost the same as the previous one, however Nissan didn’t say anything about weight.

“Even with a 25 percent increase in energy density and the increase in energy storage capacity, the LEAF e+ battery pack is almost the same size and configuration as the pack in the Nissan LEAF. Other than a 5-millimeter increase in overall height (16-inch wheels), the car’s exterior and interior dimensions are unchanged.”

There is no word in the press release about thermal management system (liquid cooling in particular), which makes us think nothing changed from the current LEAF. Battery limited warranty is to be 8 years/160,000 km (whichever occurs first).

Because of the 55% higher capacity, the LEAF e+ is expected to get EPA range rating of about 226 miles (364 km), which is about 50% more than in the case of the 40 kWh battery version – 151 miles (243 km). The increase is then 75 miles (almost 121.7 km).

Fast charging up to 100 kW

According to Nissan, the LEAF e+ will be capable of charging at around 70 kW with a peak of 100 kW (probably at a certain state-of-charge window and temperatures).

The Japanese company encourages that when connected to 100 kW, the e+ will charge in a similar time as the base 40 kWh LEAF connected to the 50 kW charger, which is positive news.

“Thanks to the available new 70 kW (100 kW peak) Quick Charging system, the 2019 Nissan LEAF e+ can charge more efficiently than ever.*3 Based on early testing, Nissan LEAF e+ owners can expect similar charging times when hooked up to a 100 kW charger as current LEAF owners do with a 50 kW charger, despite a 55 percent larger battery storage capacity.”

160 kW electric motor

The e+ brings over a 36% increase in peak power from 110 kW to 160 kW (again on par with new mainstream BEV models). As the torque is also slightly higher, Nissan expects better acceleration, especially in the higher speed range – “50 mph (80 kph) to 75 mph (120 kph) is nearly 13 percent quicker”.

“The high-capacity battery and more powerful, 160 kW motor in the LEAF e+ combine to produce 45 percent more power and 250 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque, enabling faster acceleration when driving at high speeds. Accelerating from 50 mph (80 kph) to 75 mph (120 kph) is nearly 13 percent quicker. This allows the LEAF e+ to confidently pass slower-moving vehicles, exit corners faster and more seamlessly, and merge easily with fast-moving traffic. The top speed has increased by approximately 10 percent for comfortable cruising.”

Design and new features

From the exterior, LEAF e+ will be almost the same as the 40 kWh LEAF, but with some small accents and “e+” logo (S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS in North America).

“The LEAF e+ carries over most of the LEAF’s design. Subtle clues to its e+ designation include a revised front fascia with blue highlights and an “e+” logo plate on the underside of the charge port lid.

There will also be a rear trim level badge for U.S. and Canada which will be designated as S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS.

Like the standard model, the LEAF e+ boasts a spacious, highly functional interior with a quality, high-tech feel. The combination of premium materials throughout the cabin befits a luxury vehicle. Vibrant blue contrast stitching for the steering wheel, seats and instrument panel accentuate the car as a Nissan electric vehicle.”

Among changes Nissan mentions a very important upgrade to a larger and more responsive touchscreen with an updated navigation system:

• “New for the LEAF e+ (on North American and EU models) is a larger, thin-film transistor, full-color 8-inch display, with an updated navigation system that can be linked to a compatible smartphone. The display features smartphone-like operation including swiping, scrolling and tapping. Applications, maps and firmware are updated over the air with the simple touch of a button, instead of having to manually update by USB or at a Nissan dealership.*5
• Other new features include Door-to-Door Navigation, which syncs the vehicle’s navigation system with your compatible smartphone for seamless driving and walking directions. The Connections feature allows any of the car’s passengers to quickly and easily connect to a device within the vehicle.*6

5 The new navigation system for the European market can also have its software and maps updated via Inter vehicle communication (IVC) systems.

6 These new features are available on North America and EU models only.”

Nissan LEAF remains the best-selling electric car in history with more than 380,000 sales since 2010 (including over 128,000 in the U.S.). The time will tell whether e+ will enable the LEAF to stay on top a few years from now. A lot depends on prices.

Denis Le Vot, senior vice president and chairman, Nissan North America said:

“The new Nissan LEAF e+ offers all of the style, convenience and electric vehicle benefits that have helped make LEAF the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, plus even more driving excitement, range, power and choice,” said . “Customers now have a selection of powertrains and models to best suit their driving needs.”

“Nissan Intelligent Mobility is at the core of everything we do and the new Nissan LEAF e+ takes this vision even further. EV’s will play a significant part in our product lineup as we move forward and will lead the way to providing an efficient and sustainable future for the world.”

Nissan LEAF e+ specs (vs. LEAF 40 kWh)

• 62 kWh battery (+55% capacity over 40 kWh, 25% more energy dense lithium-ion cells, similar size)
• battery limited warranty of 8 years/160,000 km (whichever occurs first) is standard
• 226 miles (364 km) of expected EPA range (up 50% from 151 miles)
• 160 kW electric motor (up from 110 kW) and 250 lb-ft (340 Nm) (vs. 320 Nm in 40 kWh version)
• 70 kW (100 kW peak) Quick Charging system (vs. less than 50 kW)

23 photos

More in the press release:

Nissan LEAF e+ joins world’s best-selling electric vehicle family

New powertrain option offers expanded range and power

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Jan. 8, 2018) – Nissan today unveiled the Nissan LEAF e+, further broadening the appeal of the world’s best-selling electric car*1 by offering a new powertrain with additional power and range.

The “e+” refers to the increased energy density of the model’s 62 kWh battery pack and the higher output of its powertrain. The new powertrain adds to the car’s range by approximately 40 percent, with EPA-estimated range of up to 226 miles, ensuring that there’s a Nissan LEAF to meet the driving needs of a wider range of customers.

“The new Nissan LEAF e+ offers all of the style, convenience and electric vehicle benefits that have helped make LEAF the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, plus even more driving excitement, range, power and choice,” said Denis Le Vot, senior vice president and chairman, Nissan North America. “Customers now have a selection of powertrains and models to best suit their driving needs.”

The LEAF e+ will be sold under the LEAF PLUS Series in the US and Canada, with each trim level receiving its own designation of S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS. Globally, the vehicle will be referred to as the Nissan LEAF e+.  

More than 380,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles have been sold globally since the 100 percent electric model first went on sale in 2010, with over 128,000 sold in the US. Equipped with advanced technologies including ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving system and e-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving, the LEAF embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society.

“Nissan Intelligent Mobility is at the core of everything we do and the new Nissan LEAF e+ takes this vision even further,” Le Vot continued. “EV’s will play a significant part in our product lineup as we move forward and will lead the way to providing an efficient and sustainable future for the world.”

Having pioneered mass-market electric cars with the LEAF, Nissan is continuing to promote alternative vehicle transportation. The LEAF family of cars play a vital role in Nissan’s efforts to integrate electric vehicles and energy systems into customer’s lives – creating an “EV ecosystem.” Among these efforts is Nissan Energy, the company’s initiative for its electric vehicles to easily connect with energy systems to charge their batteries, power homes and businesses, or feed energy back to power grids, as well as new efforts to reuse batteries.*2

The Nissan LEAF PLUS Series is scheduled to join the LEAF at Nissan dealerships in Japan in January 2019. U.S. sales are expected to begin in spring 2019 and European sales to commence in mid-2019.

Nissan Intelligent Mobility

The Nissan LEAF e+ represents a step forward in each of the three key areas of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision: Intelligent Power, Intelligent Driving and Intelligent Integration.

• Nissan Intelligent Power: increased range and performance

The Nissan LEAF e+ features a new version of the LEAF’s revolutionary electric powertrain, delivering excellent energy efficiency and robust torque and power output. While the current LEAF meets the needs of many customers with its driving range of EPA-estimated 150 miles, the LEAF e+ offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 226 miles, allowing customers the ability to do more between charges.*3

The high-capacity battery and more powerful, 160 kW motor in the LEAF e+ combine to produce 45 percent more power and 250 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque, enabling faster acceleration when driving at high speeds. Accelerating from 50 mph (80 kph) to 75 mph (120 kph) is nearly 13 percent quicker. This allows the LEAF e+ to confidently pass slower-moving vehicles, exit corners faster and more seamlessly, and merge easily with fast-moving traffic. The top speed has increased by approximately 10 percent for comfortable cruising.

Thanks to the available new 70 kW (100 kW peak) Quick Charging system, the 2019 Nissan LEAF e+ can charge more efficiently than ever.*3 Based on early testing, Nissan LEAF e+ owners can expect similar charging times when hooked up to a 100 kW charger as current LEAF owners do with a 50 kW charger, despite a 55 percent larger battery storage capacity.

Even with a 25 percent increase in energy density and the increase in energy storage capacity, the LEAF e+ battery pack is almost the same size and configuration as the pack in the Nissan LEAF. Other than a 5-millimeter increase in overall height (16-inch wheels), the car’s exterior and interior dimensions are unchanged.

Because ownership satisfaction and peace of mind are pivotal for all Nissan LEAF owners, the battery limited warranty of 8 years/160,000 km (whichever occurs first) is standard for all versions.

• Nissan Intelligent Driving: innovative ProPILOT features and smooth e-Pedal operation

Playing a leading role in Nissan Intelligent Driving is ProPILOT Assist, an in-lane semi-autonomous driving technology that can automatically adjust the distance to the vehicle ahead, using a speed preset by the driver (between about 18 mph and 62 mph). ProPILOT Assist can also help the driver steer and keep the vehicle centered in its lane. If the car in front stops, ProPILOT Assist can automatically apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a full halt if necessary. After coming to a full stop, the vehicle can remain in place even if the driver’s foot is off the brake. If traffic restarts, the car will resume driving when the driver touches the steering wheel-mounted ProPILOT Assist switch again or lightly presses the accelerator to activate the system. All these functions can reduce stress when driving on the highway in both heavy and fast-moving traffic.

Further enhancing the LEAF’s driving experience is e-Pedal, which allows the driver to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop using only the accelerator pedal.*4 To match the LEAF e+’s additional power and increased mass, Nissan has reprogrammed the e-Pedal software for smoother operation and enhanced pedal feedback, especially for operation in reverse, and for smoother and more rapid deceleration, making it easier to stop the car using e-Pedal, even when backing up.

In addition to ProPILOT and e-Pedal, every LEAF is equipped with advanced safety technologies including Intelligent Lane Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection.

• Nissan Intelligent Integration: updated interface, larger display and convenient updates

The new Nissan LEAF links drivers, vehicles and communities through its convenient graphic-based Human Machine Interface. It allows the owner to use the NissanConnect smartphone app to perform tasks such as monitoring the vehicle’s state of charge, scheduling charging to benefit from optimal energy tariffs, finding the nearest charging station, and heating or cooling the car before getting in.

New for the LEAF e+ (on North American and EU models) is a larger, thin-film transistor, full-color 8-inch display, with an updated navigation system that can be linked to a compatible smartphone. The display features smartphone-like operation including swiping, scrolling and tapping. Applications, maps and firmware are updated over the air with the simple touch of a button, instead of having to manually update by USB or at a Nissan dealership.*5

Other new features include Door-to-Door Navigation, which syncs the vehicle’s navigation system with your compatible smartphone for seamless driving and walking directions. The Connections feature allows any of the car’s passengers to quickly and easily connect to a device within the vehicle.*6

Integration goes beyond what’s in the vehicle and now includes Nissan Energy, the company’s existing and future initiatives for Vehicle-to-Grid, Vehicle-to-Building and Vehicle-to-Home connections, generating solar electricity, as well as reusing batteries. With Nissan Energy, LEAF vehicles are part of a larger electric vehicle ecosystem.*2

Sleek, modern design

One of the most eye-catching exterior elements of the new Nissan LEAF is the car’s sleek, streamlined silhouette, which maximizes aerodynamic efficiency. The car’s bold fascia features Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille with blue 3D mesh. The car’s streamlined profile gives it a sporty look, while the rear features a distinctive tail light design.

The LEAF e+ carries over most of the LEAF’s design. Subtle clues to its e+ designation include a revised front fascia with blue highlights and an “e+” logo plate on the underside of the charge port lid.

There will also be a rear trim level badge for U.S. and Canada which will be designated as S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS.

Like the standard model, the LEAF e+ boasts a spacious, highly functional interior with a quality, high-tech feel. The combination of premium materials throughout the cabin befits a luxury vehicle. Vibrant blue contrast stitching for the steering wheel, seats and instrument panel accentuate the car as a Nissan electric vehicle.

Pricing

North America pricing will be announced closer to on-sale date.

About Nissan North America 

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2017, the company sold 5.77 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.9 trillion yen. On April 1, 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30 percent increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen. As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world’s best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is today the world’s largest automotive partnership, with combined sales of more than 10.6 million vehicles in calendar year 2017.

For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit
nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.

*1 Based on cumulative sales data from December 2010 to December 2018.

*2 Availability of features and components vary by geographic region.

*3 Targeted range estimates for LEAF S PLUS only; subject to appropriate regulator confirmation. Actual range will vary with trim levels, options and driving conditions; see Customer Disclosure Form for details. Charging capacity may vary based on battery temperature.

*4 Those who prefer conventional driving can still make full use of both the accelerator and brake pedals.

*5 The new navigation system for the European market can also have its software and maps updated via Inter vehicle communication (IVC) systems.

*6 These new features are available on North America and EU models only. 

60-kWh Nissan LEAF Price Possibly Revealed In Dealer Documents

May begin shipping early in 2019

If you like the Nissan LEAF, but were put off by its current 40-kWh battery, you may soon be in luck. A bigger, better battery option is coming if you don’t mind a bit of a price hike. The base version of the current car (no pun intended), with its EPA range rating of 151 miles boasts an MSRP of $29,990. When it debuts sometime next year, the upgraded 60-kWh version may well cost an additional $5,500, which would bring its starting price to $35,400 (excluding destination and handling charges, tax, title, license, and options).

The numbers come to us from Alex Bernstein, the senior pricing analyst at CarsDirect, who has seen Nissan’s preliminary pricing sheets. His calculations show the longer-range LEAF will more effectively take on the Chevy Bolt (starting MRSP $36,620), or more importantly, the base (and still unavailable) $35,000 Tesla Model 3.

Bernstein offers up some other interesting projections as well. The 60-kWh variant, which he claims will return 225 miles of range — a 50-percent bump, may be available early in 2019. According to the analyst, production of the bigger pack will begin in January, which would likely see the higher-spec car arriving at stores sometime in the first quarter.

Besides range, the optional 60-kWh pack may provide other benefits. Expected to feature a temperature management system (TMS) with liquid cooling, the new battery may negate a limitation the 40-kWh pack suffers from. Popularly referred to as Rapidgate, the car will throttle back charging speeds after being successively plugged into DC fast charge stations. This can increase charge times considerably, making long distance journeys inconvenient.

Speaking of faster charging, the new battery option could increase the amount of energy the car can handle from stations, allowing it to suck up electrons at a rate of 102 kW, which would seriously reduce charging times at DC fast charge stations capable of dishing out the higher flow.

Also, a pack with active temperature control may decrease the rate of capacity degradation, especially in hot climates. This means the range of the vehicle will decrease more slowly over time. Not only will this increase the confidence of owners, but it may also improve resale prices, as prospective buyers will worry less about the need to replace the pack, at considerable expense.

All we can say is, bring it on!

 Nissan LEAF

42 photos

Source: CarsDirect