New Battery Boosts Range of 2016 Nissan Leaf

Nissan Motor Co. says certain versions of its 2016 Leaf all-electric hatchback will be fitted with a higher-capacity lithium-ion battery that will increase the car's EPA-estimated driving range by 27%.

The base Leaf S model will continue to use a 24-kWh battery, which has an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated range of 84 miles.

The up-level SV and SL models get the new 30-kWh battery, which provides an EPA-rated driving range of 107 miles, according to Nissan. Despite the longer driving range, the new pack's gasoline efficiency rating is slightly less than that of its predecessor's (112 mpge vs. 114 mpge).

The 30-kWh battery pack takes up the same space as the 24-kWh unit, but it is 46 lbs heavier. Both are mated to a 80-kW electric motor.

The 30-kWh pack features new cells with revised electrodes. In addition, the 192-cell pack now is grouped in modules of eight rather than four as is done in the 24-kWh pack.

Nissan says the new battery will take slightly longer to charge. The 24-kWh unit currently requires five and a half hours from a 240-volt source.

Pricing of the SV and SL is being increased by about $2,100 and $1,700, respectively, for 2016. The Leaf S is unchanged at $29,860. All versions of the 2016 Leaf qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit in the U.S.