30 kWh Leaf (2015)
From December 2015, Nissan introduced a larger 30kWh battery option to the new model year. Initially, this larger battery was only available in the mid-high trim levels. Midway through 2016, this also became standard in the basic Visia trim.
The remaining specifications across trim levels remain largely unchanged apart from an overhaul of the built-in sat-nav system. The radio has been upgraded to DAB, and there is a mobile companion app which allows you to locate the vehicle and operate the heating remotely. The main change, however, was the addition of the larger 30 kWh battery.
At this point in time, more and more people are realising and embracing the benefits of electric cars. Several other manufacturers such as Kia, BMW and Renault have brought out competitive wholly electric cars. Although remaining the market leader, Nissan has continuously absorbed the feedback of the owner community and produced practical solutions to some of the issues raised by users.
The introduction of the 30kWh battery added roughly 30-40 miles on top of the existing previous range, extending it to over 100 miles on a single charge. Although ideally built for urban journeys, the added mileage was welcomed for the convenience of longer journeys. Also, it also out-ranged several competitors, particularly with the unique "Eco mode".
As expected, the charging time has also increased with a larger battery. Using a standard charging port, the overall charging time has been increased by roughly an hour, from the average 3.5 hours using a level 2 charger. However, you have to take into consideration that the charge rate drops as it approaches 100%. Using rapid charging, it takes as little as 25 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%.