Nissan's All-Electric Model: Leafing Through The Pages

what is nissan all electric model called

Nissan has developed several concept cars and limited-production electric vehicles. The company's first series production all-electric vehicle was the Nissan Leaf, which was unveiled in 2010. Since then, Nissan has released several other all-electric models, including the Nissan Ariya, a midsize electric SUV, and the Nissan Townpod, a two-door high-tech family and work car. Other models include the Nissan Nuvu, a compact all-electric city car, and the Nissan Hypermini, a two-seater electric car. With a commitment to investing in electric vehicle and battery development, Nissan aims to become a leader in zero-emission transportation.

Characteristics Values
Name Nissan Leaf
Year 2025
MSRP $28,140 - $36,190
EPA-estimated range 212 miles
Quick charging Yes
Advanced driver assistance Yes
Safety features Yes
NissanConnect Yes
Siri voice control Yes
Apple CarPlay Yes
Smartwatch interface Yes
Nissan Nuvu top speed 75 mph
Nissan Nuvu range 80 miles
Nissan Hypermini energy consumption 1/4th of a typical car

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Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is a battery-electric car manufactured by Nissan. It was first unveiled in 2009 as the world's first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle. The Leaf was Nissan's first series-produced all-electric vehicle, with deliveries beginning in Japan and the United States in December 2010, followed by Europe and Canada in 2011.

The Nissan Leaf has since gone through multiple generations, with the first generation in production from 2010 to 2017. The first-generation Leaf received a mix of acclaim and criticism from automotive critics. While some praised its spacious boot and standard heated seats, others found the battery performance and safety aspects underwhelming. The second-generation Leaf was launched in Japan in 2017, with deliveries in North America and Europe beginning in 2018. In 2019, a Leaf e+ variant was introduced, offering a larger battery and an increased range of up to 226 miles.

The Nissan Leaf has achieved significant sales success, with global sales of over 500,000 units by 2022. It was the world's top-selling plug-in electric car until it was surpassed by the Tesla Model 3 in 2020. The Leaf has also received numerous awards, including the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, and the 2018 Top 10 Tech Cars by the US IEEE.

In 2025, Nissan introduced the third generation of the Leaf, now a crossover SUV model, offering improved technology, performance, and safety features. With over 12 billion electric miles driven worldwide, the Nissan Leaf continues to be a leader in the electric vehicle market, providing an impressive range, instant acceleration, and nimble handling. The 2025 Leaf also offers advanced connectivity options, such as the NissanConnect® EV & Services app, allowing owners to control various vehicle functions remotely.

Looking ahead, Nissan has announced an all-new, all-electric 2026 Leaf, promising even more range, power, and exhilaration. With faster charging speeds, improved technology, and enhanced safety features, the 2026 Leaf aims to offer a breakthrough driving experience.

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Nissan Ariya

The Nissan Ariya is a midsize all-electric SUV that was set to hit the market in 2022 with a starting price of $45,950. The 2025 model has a starting price of $41,160, which can go up to $55,760 depending on the trim and options. The Nissan Ariya comes with a range of innovative features, including a Head-Up Display, dual 12.3" displays, wireless Apple CarPlay, and heated and cooled front seats.

The Nissan Ariya offers a range of trim options, including the Engage, Engage+, Evolve+, and Platinum. The Evolve+ trim offers the top driving range, with an EPA-estimated range of up to 289 miles. The base model Engage comes with a smaller battery pack and a lower estimated driving range of 216 miles. The more powerful all-wheel-drive models, tagged e-4ORCE, offer improved performance, with up to 389 horsepower.

The Nissan Ariya also comes with the MyNISSAN app, which provides easy access to one of the largest public charging networks for electric vehicles. The app allows users to locate and use public chargers that are part of the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. The Ariya's home charger is also a convenient way to charge the vehicle.

The Nissan Ariya has received recognition for its design and performance, with its stylish and well-appointed interior, as well as its instant acceleration, impressive range, and nimble handling. It was named the Most Reliable Electric SUV of 2024 by Consumer Reports.

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Nissan Townpod

The Nissan Townpod is a two-door high-tech vehicle capable of functioning as both a family car and a work car for entrepreneurs. It can seat up to five people and has rear fold-down seats. The Townpod is designed to be adaptable to the specific needs of its users, whether they are musicians, delicatessen proprietors, or architects. The interior can be modified using proprietary and third-party accessories.

The exterior of the Townpod incorporates several familiar elements with a unique twist. It uses the same zero-emission technology as the Nissan LEAF, with charging points located behind an automatically retracting cover. The car's "Stratosphere White" body paint reflects subtle hints of electric blue in various places, including behind the door handles, number plate, alloy wheel spokes, and within the headlamp pods. The headlights, with their blue "petals", serve as both position markers and headlights, and their external location simplifies maintenance.

The rear lights of the Townpod are designed to reflect light like cut jewels, sparkling rather than simply glowing when illuminated. The innovative hinges on the rear doors allow them to slide, open, and then fold to the side, ensuring they do not obstruct traffic or pedestrians. To accommodate taller objects, the Townpod features a hatch-like sunroof above the cargo area. The cargo area, passenger space, and dashboard have a utilitarian design but are also stylish and uncluttered. The steering wheel is uncomplicated yet futuristic, and the stalks for operating the lights and wipers are easily accessible.

The Nissan Townpod represents a new breed of vehicles that adapts to the evolving work and living situations of entrepreneurs in the digital age. It combines the comfort and style of a passenger car with the utility of a commercial vehicle, catering to those whose work and pleasure often blend. While the production dates, prices, and estimated driving range of the Townpod have not been announced, it showcases Nissan's commitment to electric vehicle innovation and customization.

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Nissan Hypermini

The Nissan Hypermini is a two-seater electric car produced by Nissan Motors. It was introduced in Japan in 1999 and launched for retail sale in the greater Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto metropolitan areas in February 2000. The Hypermini was priced at ¥4,000,000 (about US$36,567) with a 200-volt mount-type battery charger and ¥4,015,000 with a 200-volt non-fixed battery charger. Sales were targeted at national government offices, agencies, local government bodies, and corporations.

The Hypermini features an aluminium space frame chassis made of extruded aluminium pipe, aluminium stampings, and castings, while the panels are plastic. The front suspension has independent struts, and the rear has independent parallel-link struts. The brakes (front and rear) are ventilated discs with an anti-lock braking system. The Hypermini is equipped with run-flat tyres, with the stock size being 145/65 R14 at the front and 165/60 R14 at the rear. Its turning circle is 7.8 metres (25.6 ft), and its drag coefficient is 0.30. The Hypermini also features an electric automatic air conditioner with pre-cool and pre-heat functionality, allowing the driver to get the cabin to the desired temperature before getting behind the wheel.

The Hypermini's lithium-ion batteries are located under the floor and are recharged inductively using a non-contact charging system. This system utilises a plastic paddle with a built-in coil that generates a high-frequency magnetic field. A portable battery charger can also be stored on board, allowing the batteries to be charged anywhere with an ordinary electric outlet. Nissan claimed that the Hypermini consumed a quarter of the energy of a typical car and could be operated at one-fifth the cost of a gasoline-powered vehicle.

According to Nissan, approximately 300 Hyperminis were made. Production versions were trialled in several Japanese cities, including Kyoto, Yokohama, Ebina, and Tokyo, as well as in California at the University of California, Davis, and the city council of Pasadena. The Hypermini was also used in car-sharing programs in Japan, with about 120 vehicles sold to support these initiatives. However, in August 2006, Nissan took back 11 Hyperminis from Pasadena, stating that they no longer made the car and could not maintain it.

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Nissan Nuvu

Nissan has developed several concept cars and limited-production electric vehicles. One such concept car is the Nissan Nuvu, which was unveiled in 2008. The Nuvu is a compact all-electric city car with a unique 2+1 seating configuration. It is designed for urban dwellers who want to maintain their personal freedom and comfort without compromising on sustainability.

The Nissan Nuvu is just 3 metres long, making it highly agile and easy to park. The interior design provides exceptional comfort and space, with an intelligent layout that maximises room within a compact exterior. The driver's seat is in the usual place, followed by a luggage storage area, a folding front passenger seat, and a permanent rear passenger seat. The most distinctive feature is a tree trunk-shaped column behind the driver's seat, which branches out across the roof and collects solar energy through leaf-shaped panels. This energy is then fed back to the battery, recharging it and providing an extra power boost for the electric motor.

The Nissan Nuvu embodies the company's vision for the future of urban transportation. It is described as a "moving oasis" or a "haven of green tranquility in the urban jungle". The use of natural, organic, and recycled materials in the cabin further emphasises its green credentials. The Nuvu also incorporates By-Wire technology, where the steering mechanism and brakes are driven by servos receiving signals from the steering wheel and pedals, rather than a direct mechanical connection.

The Auto Express magazine conducted a test drive of the Nissan Nuvu in October 2008. They praised the model as "ideal for the city of the future", although they noted the inconvenient location of the gear shift mechanism and hand brake as a downside. The Nissan Nuvu represents a "'new view' of what cars may look like in the coming decades, with a focus on sustainability, space optimisation, and intelligent design.

Frequently asked questions

Nissan Leaf, launched in December 2010.

Nissan Leaf, 2025 model.

Nissan Ariya, a midsize electric SUV.

Nissan has developed several concept cars and limited-production electric cars, including the Townpod, Nuvu, Altra, Hypermini, and Maxima.

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