Automotive

Nissan Leaf Plus Extends Range to an Impressive 226 Miles

By TechKee Admin

Posted on January 8, 2019

Nissan’s Leaf is already the most selling electric vehicle in the world, with more than 380,000 units moved, largely due to its comparatively low cost of entry. The major gripe that buyers have had with it is the lack of long range options. That has been settled with the launch of the 2020 Nissan Leaf Plus. With a 62 kWh battery pack and more power, the range has been extended an appreciable 75 miles over the current standard Leaf.

“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.”

“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.”

The current standard Leaf is rated at 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Nissan claims the new motor in the Leaf Plus will produce about 213 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. That’s a pretty hefty jump, and Nissan says it subtracts a lot of time in accelerating from 50-70 mph, making passing maneuvers much easier.

Here in the U.S. market, as well as in Canada, Nissan will market the car as Leaf Plus, but globally it will be known as Nissan Leaf E+. Top speed is also increased about 10%, up to around a smidge over 100 mph.

The Leaf Plus series will launch in Japan later this month, while U.S. sales will begin in the spring, and European deliveries will happen around the start of Q3. Pricing of the Leaf Plus for the U.S. market has not yet been announced.