
This aerodynamic design philosophy would be an integral theme in the design of the Nissan Leaf. They gave the car an aerodynamic V-shaped design profile that helped to reduce unwanted drag and increase range. Nissan’s design team decided that a five-door hatchback design would be optimal for the Leaf, with the car being based on their new EV platform. The Renault-Nissan alliance wanted to change this and be one of the first to market with an electric car for the everyday driver. However, the market was still small and there wasn’t really a mass-produced electric car available at a reasonable price. Hybrid vehicles were becoming more popular and dedicated electric car companies such as Tesla were starting to be become established. Throughout the 2000s, the electrification of cars would slowly gain pace.

Creating a Mass Market Electric Car Credit: Nissan By the end of production, a mere 200 units had been produced, but the project would take Nissan down a path that would eventually lead to the Leaf over a decade later. They described the car as a combination of a sedan, SUV, and minivan, and targeted sales towards electric utilities companies. Nissan first introduced their electric machine at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on the 29 December 1997.
NISSAN LEAF BATTERY SPY FULL
The batteries were made by Sony and the car could travel a full 230 km (140 miles) before needing a top up of juice. Nissan labelled the electric car the Altra and it was equipped with a 62 kW electric motor that was powered by lithium ion batteries, a first for a production electric vehicle. The Japanese company had in fact developed an electric version of their R’nessa station wagon/crossover vehicle. The Leaf wasn’t Nissan’s first foray into the world of production electric motorcars. History of the First-Generation Nissan Leaf Credit: 天然ガス
NISSAN LEAF BATTERY SPY HOW TO
How to Use this First Gen Nissan Leaf Buyers Guide

However, what are some things you need to watch out for when buying a used Nissan Leaf and are there any common problems with the car? In this guide we hope to answer all your questions about purchasing a second hand Leaf and more. With the second-generation version of the Leaf coming online in late 2017, the first gen model has become a popular choice for those who want to dip their toes into the exciting world of electric motoring at a lower cost. The Leaf was the world’s bestselling plug-in electric car up until the Tesla Model 3 knocked it off its perch in late 2019. Love it or hate it, the Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular electric cars on the road today.
