Nissan Promises 14% More Range for Leaf EV in Europe

Nissan Motor Co. says the revised European edition of its Leaf electric sedan has a certified range of 199 km (124 miles) on the new European driving cycle, up from 175 km (109 miles) for this year's edition.

The company will publicly introduce the updated car at the Geneva auto show next week. The new model, which will go on sale in Europe this summer, will be produced in Sunderland, England. Its batteries also will be produced at the Sunderland complex.

Nissan attributes the Leaf's improved range primarily to a revised HVAC system that uses a heat pump in place of the previous ceramic heater. The car also has a modified Eco driving mode that allows the driver to increase regenerative braking and modify throttle mapping independently.

Nissan says the revised model has less internal friction and a more efficient battery and energy management system. A more aerodynamic front end, which reduces the Leaf's coefficient of drag to 0.28 from 0.29, also contributes to greater range.

As in other markets, the European Leaf will offer buyers an optional onboard 6.6-kW, 32-amp charger. The unit can replenish the car's 48-cell lithium-ion battery in four hours half the time required by the previous built-in system.

Nissan says it has tuned the Leaf for European tastes with more agile handling, heavier steering and a more progressive brake feel.