First new-generation Leaf hits NZ market

A new generation Nissan Leaf 40kWh G 2018 model year all-electric car offered by EV Central in Taupo has attracted considerable interest.

Nearly 100 people have added it to their watch list on Trade Me Motors alone.

The phone’s been running hot for EV Central EV manager Richard Blakeney-Williams who had 10 calls in one day, plus a call at 6am New Year’s Day.

He says he anticipated high customer interest would come after bidding online for the car at auction in Japan.

The new black five-door hatchback has barely 100km on the clock and is priced at $64,990.

It’s the only 40kWh Leaf in the country, and has a range around 300km, EV Central says.

Most Leafs here are about 30kWh or 24kWh (about 170km to 130km ranges respectively).

Blakeney-Williams says this Leaf provides a “massive upgrade” over the previous model, the 110kW motor producing 320Nm of torque.

“You will be the first person in possibly the Southern Hemisphere to own this car,” the company’s website says.

The highest Model G spec has all the extras optioned.

Features include ten airbags, an upgraded 360-degree bird’s eye reverse camera with seamless interaction between all four cameras, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto providing English on the screen, a CHAdeMO port for rapid charging at 50kW – charging up to 80% in 40 minutes, and a WoF until 2020.

It also has an e-Pedal, allowing the driver to speed up, slow down and brake with just the accelerator pedal, and ProPilot to set the speed.

Intelligent cruise control, lane intervention, auto LED headlights, fog lights, parking sensors and more are included.

EV Central specialises in plug-in EVs and hybrids, offering a considerable range, and checks all the vehicles in Japan and the UK prior to purchase.

Henry Schmidt of Autolink Cars in Auckland says he also bid on the same Nissan Leaf but pulled out because the price was getting too high.

He says there’s a shortage of these models in Japan to meet demand there, although some may be released in the UK early this year.