Photo: Nissan
Gareth Dunsmore, the EV divisional general manager and former marketing communications general manager at Nissan Europe SAS, made it clear that future crossovers from Nissan will be available in all-electric flavor. According to expectations, the next-generation Juke and Qashqai are up for electrifying.
Speaking to Autocar, Dunsmore told the British publication: “We’re leaders in crossovers and a leader with Leaf and we will combine those two in the future.” The Nissan official added: “I hope EV stands up within that [the Leaf’s platform] and people see it as environmentally friendly, fun and cost-efficient.”
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to us because a) the Leaf is the sole fully-electric model in the Nissan model lineup; b) the Juke still sells like hot cakes despite its old age; c) the family-friendly Qashqai is the best-selling model in its segment since, like, forever.
Furthermore, the second-generation Leaf is going to step the EV game for Nissan with superior battery tech. Expected to go into production as a 2018 model, the next-gen Leaf is slated to compete against the likes of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, which means that we’re in for 200 miles or more of range on a full charge.
Paving the way for the new and much improved battery technology is a £26.5 million investment in the Sunderland, UK-based battery plant. I don’t mean to add fuel to the fire, but the Nissan IDS Concept that was presented in Tokyo in October 2015 boasts 60 kWh. That’s double the capacity of the lithium-ion pack that equips the 2016 model year Leaf in SL and SV trims and the same capacity as the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt.
The thing is, the 2016 Nissan Leaf is not a looker, nor is the Chevrolet Bolt. But for all that, applying the all-electric treatment to the Juke and Qashqai will surely pay dividend for Nissan (and Renault to some extent).
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to us because a) the Leaf is the sole fully-electric model in the Nissan model lineup; b) the Juke still sells like hot cakes despite its old age; c) the family-friendly Qashqai is the best-selling model in its segment since, like, forever.
Furthermore, the second-generation Leaf is going to step the EV game for Nissan with superior battery tech. Expected to go into production as a 2018 model, the next-gen Leaf is slated to compete against the likes of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, which means that we’re in for 200 miles or more of range on a full charge.
Paving the way for the new and much improved battery technology is a £26.5 million investment in the Sunderland, UK-based battery plant. I don’t mean to add fuel to the fire, but the Nissan IDS Concept that was presented in Tokyo in October 2015 boasts 60 kWh. That’s double the capacity of the lithium-ion pack that equips the 2016 model year Leaf in SL and SV trims and the same capacity as the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt.
The thing is, the 2016 Nissan Leaf is not a looker, nor is the Chevrolet Bolt. But for all that, applying the all-electric treatment to the Juke and Qashqai will surely pay dividend for Nissan (and Renault to some extent).
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