A 60kWh battery is an ideal unit for any top 2017 EV, and that’s exactly why the Chevrolet Bolt has remained on top in terms of zero emissions. It is especially proven by the Bolt’s success in nabbing various awards recently, reports the Daily Sun Knoxville.
The Bolt is currently garnering plenty of attention which leaves the Nissan Leaf to become the new underdog. The odd-looking hatch may still be leading with regards to global EV sales but Nissan would soon lose that, too.
However, the arrival of the second-generation Leaf, most likely with a 60kWh battery with more than 200 miles of range, would place the vehicle right back in the competition to become the best of the lot.
Many had expected the 60kWh Nissan Leaf to make its way as a 2017 model but the automaker had disappointed fans by remaining with its existing 30kWh unit that’s worth 107 miles as the only choice.
Nissan did not include a 35kWh or 40kWh battery option which means the Leaf would be sorely behind the latest BMW i3, Ford Focus Electric, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq Electric.
If Nissan wants its Leaf to succeed, its 2018 model should be coming with something bigger than the 60 kWh option because it would need to catch up to the Bolt, in terms of sales and it would also be arriving about the same time as the Tesla Model 3, which can adversely affect its sales results.