Nissan reveals price for boosted range Leaf, takes on Tesla

The Driven

Pricing for the Nissan’s longer range electric car, the Leaf Plus with 62kWh battery and 226 miles (363km) real world range, has been announced by the Japanese carmaker in the US.

The Nissan Leaf Plus will be available in 3 trims – the S, the SV and the SL – all with the same 62kWh battery, increased range and more kick from the improved 160 kW power output from its motor.

It’s been a long wait for Nissan’s answer to calls for a larger battery and better driving range, and it cannot be ignored that news of pricing in the US has been released immediately after rival carmaker Tesla’s unveiling of the $US35,000 ($A49,400 at today’s conversion rates) base Model 3 on Friday (Australian time).

The base trim version of the Nissan Leaf Plus will be $US36,550 ($A51,600 converted), with the SL coming in at $US38,510 ($A54,370 converted) and the SV at $US42,550 ($A60,080 converted).

“With the addition of LEAF PLUS, the Nissan LEAF is now available with two battery options and a choice of six trim levels – each featuring the many advanced technologies offered under the banner of Nissan Intelligent Mobility,” Brian Marango, director of EV Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America, said in a statement.

Nissan have taken pains to ensure that the Leaf Plus, as with the Leaf, is clearly an electric vehicle, from the revised front nose design with its blue highlights and e+ logo under the charger lid, to the rear badges designating the S Plus, SL Plus or SV Plus trims.

Read the full story on RenewEconomy’s dedicated electric vehicle site, The Driven…