Nissan Leaf

The current Nissan Leaf, launched in the UK in early 2018, is the next generation of the world's best-selling zero-emissions electric vehicle. The latest model has been reinvented to offer greater range, dynamic design, advanced driver assistance technologies and enhanced connectivity.

The Leaf offers an improved range of 235miles on a single charge and its bi-directional charging means can the not only can charge be topped up but stabililty is provided to the local energy grid courtesy of Nissan’s Vehicle to Grid technology. It also boasts ProPILOT advanced driver assistance system which uses the steering, braking and acceleration to assist the driver within single lane, low movement traffic, enabling the it to autonomously slowdown and stop where traffic flow ceases and then start to follow the car in front when the flow resumes.

The Nissan Leaf’s e-Pedal technology lets the driver start, accelerate, decelerate and stop using just the accelerator. When the accelerator is fully released, the hydraulic and friction brakes are applied automatically, bringing the car to a complete stop and regenerating the braking energy to recharge the battery. The car holds its position, even on steep up and downhill slopes, until the accelerator is pressed again.

The current Nissan Leaf is completely redesigned internally. It has a new 7-inch, full-colour (TFT) display which highlights key features including the Safety Shield technology, power gauge and information from the audio and navigation systems.

Available in four grades initially (Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna) the first model available to UK buyers was the Leaf 2.Zero special version, limited to 1,500 vehicles. The 2.Zero was positioned between N-Connecta and the range-topping Tekna grade. Nowadays the Visia has been removed from the Leaf line-up.

Following the sales success of the 2018 Leaf, Nissan announced its Leaf 3.Zero models , the 3.Zero and 3.Zero e+ Limited Edition.

Both 3.Zero vehicles include a new 8-inch infotainment screen enabling additional connectivity services such as door-to-door navigation. The standard Leaf 3.Zero features a 40 kWh battery, new body colours and two-tone colour combinations.

The Nissan Leaf 3.Zero e+ Limited Edition, of which only 5,000 units were produced for Europe, features a higher output capable of delivering 160 kW with a range of up to 239 mile from its 62 kWh capacity battery. At the centre of the Leaf 3.Zero e+ Limited Edition is an Intelligent Power-enhanced high-capacity battery and more powerful motor.

On the road, the Leaf 3.Zero e+ Limited Edition will deliver a 40% range increase over the Leaf 3.Zero. This represents more than 62 miles additional range for a comparable usage.

The Leaf 3.Zero and 3.Zero e+ Limited Edition batteries come with the same eight-year/100,000 mile Nissan warranty enjoyed by all other versions of the current Leaf.

Launched in 2019, the Nissan Leaf e+ sits at the pinnacle of the Leaf range, delivering 217PS of performance and up to 239 miles of zero-emissions driving.

Available in N-Connecta and Tekna trims, the Leaf e+ benefits from the same 62kWh battery pack piloted by the 3.Zero e+ Special Edition, offering 55% more capacity and approximately 25% improvement in energy density while retaining a similar shape and size to the 40kWh Leaf battery pack. Other than a 5-millimetre increase in the car’s overall height (based on 16-inch wheels), the car’s dimensions are unchanged.

With the more powerful motor, acceleration from 50mph to 75mph is nearly 13% quicker. The top speed (98 mph) has also increased from the 40kWh version by approximately 10%.

Like all new Leaf vehicles, the Leaf e+ has Nissan’s new NissanConnect infotainment system, with larger 8” touchscreen as standard. Features include Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto allowing for smartphone connectivity. Customers also benefit from an upgraded navigation system, which features TomTom LIVE premium traffic and route optimisation, as well as the inbuilt Online Map Update facility and Chargers Location functionality. A Remote Climate Control functionality lets users pre-set air conditioning or heating while their Leaf e+ is still plugged to the charging point, whilst information and analysis on trips and driving style can also be accessed from a smartphone.

Externally the Leaf e+ offers a number of different design options, with a total of 10 body colours and seven two-tone body and roof colour combinations.

Fine-tuned since the launch of the original Leaf in 2011, an internal thermal management system is also installed in every Leaf, ensuring that fast charging performance is optimised for specific driving conditions. The system also ensures that the quality and longevity of the battery is maximised.