Nissan previewed the next-generation Leaf with the IDS concept at the Tokyo motor show in November last year. The concept car featured a 60kWh battery pack, which was said to offer a range between 499km and 547km. Gareth Dunsmore, director of the Nissan’s zero-emission business unit, has now revealed that such a range could become a viable production option by 2018 if the larger battery meets the company’s durability and price targets.

While Dunsmore didn’t directly refer to the Leaf, the next-generation Leaf is due in 2018 and it seems likely that the range-topping model in the new electric hatchback’s line-up will get a 547km range.
Nissan is offering the recently-revised current Leaf in international markets with a larger, 30kWh lithium-ion battery pack which has a claimed 250km range, up from the 200km of the standard 24kWh battery. Meanwhile, following a strategy similar to that of Tesla, the next-generation Leaf is set to receive several different batteries to give buyers the option of different ranges.

“We have two battery options now, and will grow options, making it more accessible with a longer range and a price to match,” said Dunsmore.

Dunsmore believes plug-ins to be a compromise. While many manufacturers are adopting plug-in hybrid technology to reduce their fleet CO2 emissions, Nissan yet does not have a plug-in hybrid model in its range. He stated, "When you are driving a plug-in, you have an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. You use the engine most of the time and it makes emissions worse. I see their relevance, but there is a compromise. I’m glad we took the step and built-up a leadership in electric vehicles.”