Nissan boss, Carlos Ghosn, has said that the next generation of Nissan electric cars – the next LEAF is due in 2016 – will have an official range of 250 miles.
2016 Nissan LEAF to get 250 mile range (current LEAF pictured)
We’ve never been a fan of electric cars as a replacement for the ICE car because they are incapable of offering the flexibility and practicality an ICE car manages, but that may be close to changing.
We can’t find a clip of the interview where Ghosn made his assertion, but Tokyo’s Daily Kanban claim to have seen it and confirm the claim by Ghosn
If it’s true, it’s a major step in making EVs a true alternative to ICE cars, especially if, as is claimed, the new battery technology that enables the much greater range is both lighter and cheaper to build.
Of course, having a greater range is a big help, but it is only of limited use if the number of recharging stations is greatly expanded and recharging technology advances to be comparable with refuelling an ICE car. But even that seems to be in the works.
And if it is, we may have to look at batters electric cars with new eyes.
Related Photos: Nissan LEAF EV
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Source: Car & Driver
Bob Foss says
I disagree with this article’s assertion that a 250-mile range Leaf would be of limited use unless there were a lot more charging stations. Perhaps outside of the U.S., but in the U.S. most people’s daily commute is less than 30 miles and most people that have EVs or plug-in hybrids simply charge them at home, or at the local free charging stations our electric company or auto dealers offer. Here in Nevada, many people are installing solar panels to have free EV power as well as house utilities. The only reason a person might want a charging station, or need one, is if he or she is taking a road trip more than 250 miles! Right now, the people I know who have an EV have it as their only vehicle, and for much less than owning a gas burner, simply rent one to go on their two or three week vacation, or holiday.