Since the launch of the Nissan Leaf EV in 2010, it has gone on to sell more than 400,000 cars worldwide, making it the world’s best-selling electric car. Through February, the Leaf has ed for more than 130,000 sales in the U.S., giving it the title of most units in operation of any battery EV.
For 2019, there will be two Leaf models: the standard Leaf with a 150-mile range and the new Leaf Plus with a more powerful motor and a 62-kWh battery for 226 miles of range.
When the 2011 Leaf debuted, it had an EPA rated driving range of 97 miles from its 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In 2013, Nissan tweaked the aerodynamics, regenerative braking, trimmed some curb weight and improved battery-heat management to boost the range around 100 miles. In 2016, an a 30-kWh battery stretched range to 107 miles. And in 2017, the second-generation Leaf brought a new 40 kWh battery for 150 miles of driving range.
While the Leaf Plus has an incremental driving range, it also got a more powerful, 160 kW, 214-horsepower motor and faster charging times. Nissan also gave the Leaf Plus the ability to be charged at 100kW quick-charging stations. A charge to 80 percent of battery capacity will take 45 minutes, Nissan said.
Other Leaf Plus enhancements include a new infotainment system with a 1-inch larger touch screen, now at 8 inches. Added safety features include forward collision warning and rear door alert (to advise the driver to check the back seat for children or other precious packages before leaving the car).
The space for battery storage is fixed in the current design, but the engineers tightened the available space to increase the number of cells from 192 to 288. The additional batteries added 290 pounds, pushing curb weights to 3,780-3,853 pounds, among the three trim levels.
The larger battery also increased charging times on a 240-volt home charger. It now takes 11.5 hours for a full charge, up from the previous 7.5 hours. Charging at a public 50 kW charger will take an hour for an 80 percent charge, up from 40 minutes.
The only design differences between the two models is Leaf Plus badging and some lower blue trim at the front and rear fascias.
In a day of driving the Leaf Plus, it feels about the same as the standard model. The more powerful motor was tuned not for off-the-line acceleration but for stronger freeway merging power between 30 and 50 mph. But the added range makes it more desirable as a commuting vehicle and it qualifies for High Occupancy Vehicle permits.
Sold in S Plus, SV Plus and SL Plus trim levels, the Leaf Plus has starting prices that range from $37,445 to $43,445, including the $895 freight charge from Smyrna, Tenn.
Pricing is before factoring federal EV tax credit of $7,500 or a state incentive of $2,500 (in California), depending on availability. SDG&E has a range of lower EV time-of-use rates.
When the Leaf launched in 2010, there were just two EVs on sale in the U.S., including the Chevrolet Volt. By 2013, there were a dozen EV models, and last year there were 18 choices — and the number of choices will double by 2025, Nissan says.
Mark Maynard is the automotive editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune.
