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Seeing all the energy Nissan put into the unveiling of the all-new 2018 Nissan Leaf, we could easily have forgotten that the electric car market accounts for only a very small percentage of the automotive industry.
But the new Leaf is more than the second generation of EVs at Nissan. The model unveiled yesterday in Las Vegas also serves as a technological showcase for the Japanese automaker by featuring, for example, two new technologies including one that will eventually be common on several Nissan models.
Before we go there, however, let’s get back to the improvements made where it matters. Firstly, an electric vehicle’s range is the main factor that influences buyers, and the new Leaf will now be able to cover 241 kilometers instead of some 170 kilometers with the previous model.
All this is made possible by a larger 40 kWh battery. Nissan has already confirmed a more powerful Leaf with even more range, but we will have to wait until 2019 to learn more about this model.
We also do not know how long it will take to recharge the battery, but Nissan has confirmed that it will be possible to do so with either 120V and 240V outlets.
The 2018 Nissan Leaf will be the first car offered in North America to be equipped with the new ProPilot technology that includes a camera, a radar and various sensors to help the car stay in its lane and even follow the turns in the road independently. The system can even brake automatically and slow down the car to a complete stop when necessary.
The new Leaf also features the e-Pedal system, which controls acceleration and braking by using only the accelerator. In other words, raise your foot off the right pedal, and the car brakes with pretty much the same intensity as when you apply the brakes. You can therefore drive with only one pedal and one foot.
The 2018 Nissan Leaf be available starting at $ 35,998 and will be eligible for government rebates ($ 8,000 in Quebec). It will also offer a group of winter equipment that includes heated seats, heated steering wheel and a battery heater.
Nearly 283,000 Nissan Leaf models have been sold worldwide, including 5,400 in Canada.
