Nissan Leaf: The Car of Tomorrow

Not a concept but a full production car. Already on sale in Japan, North America and Europe.
Award winner: LEAF is the 2011 World and European Car of the Year.
Lively performance and a range of up to 175km between charges
80 per cent quick charge capability in 30 minutes
Five star safety rating.
Fully equipped with satellite navigation, parking camera and smart phone connectivity.

If there’s one vehicle which proves, beyond doubt, that Nissan is at the cutting edge of automotive innovation, it’s the Nissan LEAF. The world’s first series-production family-sized pure electric vehicle, LEAF is already on sale in North America, Japan and European countries where an EV re-charging infrastructure has been established.

Built on an all-new bespoke EV platform, LEAF is a purpose-designed and engineered electric vehicle rather than an existing design that’s been converted to battery power.

LEAF sits on a generous 2700 mm wheelbase, is 4445 mm long, 1770 mm wide and 1550 mm tall. Because its electric motor is physically small and the compact battery packs are located under the floor towards the centre of the chassis, Nissan LEAF’s design isn't compromised by the need to house a traditional engine at the front.

The result is a low-slung front-end which is dramatically framed by the vertical blue LED headlights. These also direct airflow away from the door mirrors to improve Nissan LEAF's aerodynamics.

The body was created using Nissan's ‘smart fluidity' principle, combining flowing lines with aerodynamic efficiency. The kicked-up roofline blends into a large spoiler while LEAF's wind cheating shape is further helped by the flat, smooth underfloor.

A regenerative braking system helps to increase the vehicle's range. By applying the brake or lifting off the accelerator, the electric motor acts as a generator, converting energy that would otherwise be wasted into battery energy. To increase regenerative braking capability, there's a driver-controlled Eco mode setting, which also can be used to reduce air conditioning and thus improve driving range by 10 per cent when driving in urban areas. 

Standard equipment is comprehensive – it includes air conditioning, satellite navigation and a rear-view parking camera – so the only optional extra is a solar panel integrated into the rear spoiler which can harvest energy from the sun to power accessories.

Using a domestic electricity supply, LEAF can be recharged to full capacity overnight, but there is also the potential to ‘Quick Charge’ the car, using a new QC charger developed by Nissan. This can deliver up to 50 kW of high voltage direct current to recharge up to 80 per cent of the battery capacity in just 30 minutes.

Thanks to the low centre of gravity, handling and ride comfort are exceptional while the rapid progress is accompanied by an almost complete lack of noise.

This whisper-quiet performance could pose a problem in city traffic so to alert pedestrians to LEAF’s presence a sine-wave sound system has been developed. This sweeps from 2.5kHz at the high end to a low of 600Hz, an easily audible range across age groups. The system operates when Nissan LEAF is driven under 25km/h and cuts out over 30km/h.

Other safety systems include airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control and pretensioner seatbelts as standard, along with a rear-view camera for safe and easy parking. These features, plus Nissan’s efforts to protect the batteries and isolate the electrical system in the event of a serious accident, helped LEAF take a top five star rating in the tough Euro NCAP safety tests

The rear view is dominated by thin, gently curved, vertical taillights and is, of course, notable by the total absence of an exhaust pipe. Inside there's ample space for five adults and the airy interior houses advanced electronic devices including a flat centre cluster for the bespoke IT system and a neat and easy to use gearshift selector inspired by a computer mouse.

Developed by the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), a joint venture between Nissan and NEC, LEAF’s advanced lithium-ion battery has the capacity to store twice as much energy as the previous generation. Nissan LEAF has 48 lithium-ion battery modules with four battery cells inside each module which fit snugly beneath the floor of the car, thus optimising cabin space and providing a low centre of gravity for a smooth and stable ride.

Responsive performance comes from the 80kw (108 bhp) electric motor that generates its maximum 280 Nm of torque – equivalent to the torque of a conventional 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine from a standing start. The result is rapid acceleration perfectly in tune with the Nissan LEAF's natural urban and suburban habitat.

Nissan LEAF is easy to drive. The electric powertrain does not idle and only rotates when the vehicle is moving. To start the engine, the driver presses the start button, and electricity is ready to flow to the motor. Using the electric shift, the driver then selects "D", and the vehicle starts to move. It's that simple.

A full charge delivers a potential range of 175 km as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Global research indicates that the average daily mileage for 80 per cent of the world's population is under 100 kms: the figure in Japan and the UK is under 50 kms for 80 per cent of the population.

Driving range depends on several factors, including external temperature, air-conditioning usage, battery age and driving style. An onboard screen shows key battery data, including maximum driving range, power output and regenerated electricity. An eco-indicator on the meter displays the status of electricity consumption, giving real-time feedback on the driver's performance.

“Be in no doubt that Nissan LEAF is a remarkable car, the first serious electric vehicle the world has seen. And this is just the beginning as this is just the first of four EVs Nissan plans to launch in the near future. I hope we will be able to introduce the car to India sooner rather than later,” said Gilles Normand, Nissan Corporate Vice President, Africa, Middle East and India.