Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf (also formatted "LEAF" as a back ronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) is a five-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan and introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010. The US Environmental Protection Agency official range is 117 kilometer  (73 mi), with an energy consumption of 765 kilo joule per kilometer(34 kW·h/100 mi) and rated the Leaf's combined fuel economy at 99 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.4 L/100 km). The Leaf has a range of 175 km (109 mi) on the  New euro driving cycle

Design

he Leaf's frontal style is characterized by a sharp V-shape design with large, up slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that create a distinctive blue internal reflective design. The headlights also split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, which reduces wind noise and drag. The headlights consume 50% less electricity than halogen lamps. Nissan sought to make the Leaf appealing to mainstream drivers by giving it a familiar sedan- and hatchback-like design. The bottom of the car has aerodynamic paneling to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics as much as possible^.

Leaf interior

Leaf electronic control unit

Leaf lithium-ion battery pack

 Powertrain

Nissan says that the car has a top speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph). Its motor is rated at 80 kilowatts (110 hp) and 280 newton metres (210 lb·ft)Unofficially, 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) performance has been tested at 9.9 seconds.

The Leaf uses a front-mounted electonic motor driving the wheels, powered by a 86 megajoules (24 kW·h) lithium ion battery pack rated to deliver up to 90 kilowatts (120 hp) power.The pack contains air-cooled, stacked laminar battery cells with lithium manganate cathodes. The battery and control module together weigh 300 kilograms (660 lb) and the specific energy of the cells is 140 W·h/kg. Each battery pack costs Nissan an estimated US$18,000 (as of May 2010). Under its five-cycle testing, the United States Environmental Protection Agency found the Leaf's energy consumption to be 765 kJ/km (34 kWh/100 miles) and rated the Leaf combined full economy equivalent at 99 MPGe (2.4 L/100 km), with an equivalent 106 mpg_-US (2.22 L/100 km; 127 mpg_-imp) in city driving and 92 mpg_-US (2.6 L/100 km; 110 mpg_-imp) on highways.^[update]

 Battery

The 24 kWh battery pack consists of 48 modules and each module contains four cells, a total of 192 cells, and is assembled by Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) – a joint venture between Nissan, NEC and NEC Energy Devices, at Zama, Japan.

The Leaf's design locates the battery, the heaviest part of any EV, below the seats and rear foot space, keeping the center of gravity as low as possible and increasing structural rigidity compared to a conventional five-door hatchback.

The battery pack is expected to retain 70% to 80% of its capacity after 10 years but its actual lifespan depends on how often fast charging (440-volt) is used and also on environmental factors.Nissan said the battery has a "lifespan of 5–10 years under normal use". The Leaf's battery is guaranteed by Nissan for eight years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) (see Warranty sub-section below under United state for limitations).

In addition to the main battery, the Leaf also has an auxiliary 12-volt lead-acid battery that provides power to the car computer systems and accessories such as the audio system, supplemental restraint systems, headlights and windshield wipers.The small solar panel on the Leaf rear spoiler (in the United states, only comes with SL trim) helps to charge this accessory battery.

Nissan recommends owners the following preventive actions to help maximize the lithium-ion battery’s useful life and its ability to hold a charge:

• Avoid exposing a vehicle to ambient temperatures above 120 °F (49 °C) for over 24 hours.
• Avoid storing a vehicle in temperatures below −13 °F (−25 °C) for over 7 days.
• Avoid exceeding 70 to 80% state of carge when using frequent (more than once per week) fast or quick charge
• Allow the battery charge to be below at least 80% before charging.
• Avoid leaving the vehicle for over 14 days where the Li-ion battery available charge gauge reaches a zero or near zero (state of charge).