Nissan delivers 155-mile battery upgrade with new Leaf

The Leaf, which previously ran on 24Kwh batteries, now has a driving range of 155 miles on a single charge thanks to the improved battery, which the company claims is the first of its kind for the market.

The company claim the battery will only add 21kg of weight to the vehicle and will enhance vehicle performance by adding Carbon, Nitrogen and Magnesium to the electrodes.

The car, which benefits from 500 roadside LEAF-compatible rapid chargers across the UK, will go on sale in December with a market price of £24,490 – £1,600 higher than the 24Kwh battery model.

The old 24Kwh batteries could apparently retain up to 80% of their power for use in ‘commercial afterlife’. Earlier this year it was announced that used Nissan EV batteries would be used in partnership with energy storage provider Green Charge Networks, to create a commercial energy storage system. Nissan has yet to give details on charging times or commercial storage for the new batteries.

EV-olution

Earlier this week, delivery firm UPS announced a new fleet of hybrid electric delivery trucks would go on trial in the UK as part of the company’s approach to optimising the use of alternative-fuel and advanced-technology vehicles.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) announced its ‘Low Carbon Champions’ for 2014-15. Mitsubishi took the award in the Low Carbon Car/Van Manufacturer of the Year category, an award that Nissan were also shortlisted for. Judges said that Mitsubishi’s Outlander – which helped the company scoop the car manufacturer award – has been a “game-changer”, having brought plug-in hybrid technology to a 4×4 SUV at a competitive price.

The Government is currently investing £500m to accelerate the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles and new Transport Minister Andrew Jones has called on the low-carbon vehicle industry to make the public more aware of the local air quality benefits of buying electric cars.

Matt Mace