New Nissan Leaf Halves Charging Time Thanks To Tesla Superchargers
Pretty much the only aspect of the all-new Nissan Leaf that will resonate with potential buyers, apart from its all-new Ariya-inspired styling, greater range and improved performance and handing, is the fact that it can be charged quicker than ever using Tesla's Supercharger network.
When the original Leaf debuted in late-2010 as the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle, it boasted a paltry 24-kWh battery that delivered an underwhelming EPA-rated 73 miles of range. Landing in showrooms for under $33,000, not including the $7,500 tax credit, it was the best-selling EV from 2011 to 2014, and even picked up some awards like the 2011 World Car Award and European Car of the Year gong.
The new Leaf has an EPA range of 303 miles
The second generation Leaf came along in 2017 with a larger 40-kWh battery that elevated range to 151 miles, before a 62-kWh battery-powered Leaf Plus update followed in 2019 offering a (finally) competitive 212 miles. Charging the battery on DC fast charging was painfully slow at just 50kW which would take up to an hour to reach 80% state of charge.
Offered only in front-wheel-drive, the just-launched new third generation model totally redefines those figures. Employing a distinctive Ariya-like crossover style, the new Leaf is basically the same size as its predecessor but is around 300-lbs heavier mainly due to the bigger 75-kWh battery that delivers 303 miles of range. Nissan has not given a range yet for its smaller, more (expected to be) reasonably-priced 52-kWh version but we can expect that number soon.
At 150kW on a Tesla Supercharger, the new Leaf can charge from 10-80% in 35 minutes, nearly twice as fast as the outgoing model. In addition, a new three-in-one packaging of the motor, inverter and reducer into one compact unit allows for a 10 percent downsizing of the drivetrain. One extra styling revision that will impress potential buyers is that designers have shifted the charging ports from the nose of the car to the sides, just under the A-pillar.
The new cabin is simple yet elegant
Inside the Leaf incorporates scaled-down Ariya SUV aesthetics with a similar two-spoke steering wheel and large single piece screen boasting two displays. All specs get a 12.3 driver instrument display with the S and S+ trims getting a similar sized infotainment touchscreen. The flagship SV+ and Platinum+ models employ a larger 14.3-inch touchscreen that includes an Android infotainment system with Google Services.
Expected to go on sale in North America this fall, pricing will be a thorny issue in the era of on-again, off-again, on-again tariffs. Given that the new Leaf will not be built in the U.S., but assembled in either Britain's Sunderland plant of Japan's Tochigi factory, America is not expected to be the Leaf's biggest market. Europe will be.
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