Nissan Plans 200-mile LEAF

Feb 20, 2015

Nissan LEAF for sale in Naples, FL

The Nissan LEAF, currently available right here at Naples Nissan in Naples, Florida, is the best-selling all-electric vehicle of all time, and is breaking records year after year for the most models sold annually. Every day, we see more and more of these vehicles on the streets of Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

While the current LEAF is the pinnacle of current electric vehicles, Nissan has no plans on resting on its laurels. The current generation of the LEAF has already seen some changes over the model cycle – aerodynamics have improved, battery packs have become more efficient, and fast-charging has been introduced. But according to Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Nissan, the next-generation LEAF due out in another year or two will be helped by a massive leap in the electric vehicle technology

Aiming for a Milestone

Nissan Leaf available at Naples Nissan

As the range war gets rougher, the milestone for many electric vehicles appears to be the 200-mile range. At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, Chevy introduced the Chevrolet Bolt Concept, which has been rumored to have that range milestone in its sites. At the same time, Tesla has announced plans for a “LEAF fighter,” a small sedan with a 200-mile range meant to try and unseat the LEAF.

Nissan isn’t worried, though. As Chief Planning Officer Philippe Klein said in a recent interview in at the Detroit show, “We don’t need that much to get out from the basic range anxiety. We’re going to be there relatively quickly.” The ongoing development of the current LEAF shows that they are constantly tweaking the design. From the remarks of Klein and Ghosn, it would seem that Nissan already has the next generation in the works.

The Next Generation of the LEAF

Ghosn’s plans for the next generation of the LEAF aren’t hard to discern. He is a major proponent of electric power, and has been a major driving force behind the LEAF. Without him, the LEAF likely would not have been as successful as quickly as it has been.

Ghosn wants to increase the ability of the vehicle, from range all the way to charging time, and he wants to do it while keeping the price point level or even reducing it. He’s not just a CEO who is interested in selling cars – he wants the vehicles sold by his company to have an impact. His attitude can be summed up quite well in one of his answers when asked about the Bolt and Tesla’s announcement, when he stated “We are the leaders and we frankly intend to continue to be the leaders.”

What will the LEAF use to hit the 200 mile mark? The advances in lithium-ion batteries since the first LEAF was introduced have been incredible. They have been reduced in weight, while they have increased in power. Power and weight are the major deciders when it comes to range, so an increased power density is vital. Usage of new, lighter materials and developing a lighter design will also reduce weight.

We know the folks of southern Florida have adapted the LEAF – we see plenty of them on the roads from Tampa to Marco Island. That’s why we know that, when the next generation of the LEAF hits the market with a greater range and newer technology, they’ll want to be the first to get a model. We can promise you that Naples Nissan will be your top source for the next-generation Nissan LEAF, and we will be your best source for information regarding when it is expected and just how advanced it is going to be. If you’re interested in a current-generation Nissan LEAF, stop in and talk to one of our sales staff, they’ll be happy to go over one of these amazing vehicles with you.