2018 Nissan Leaf's 150 Miles Per Charge Isn't Exciting, But Has Good News

Update: Nissan Will Confirm 2018 Leaf Range "In The Coming Weeks.

Today PluginCars reported that the 2018 Nissan LEAF will be faster, sleeker and will have the starting price of $30,000. But it also reported that "the new LEAF’s battery could be as big as 40 kilowatt-hours—putting its real-world range in the neighborhood of 130 to 150 miles." This is the part that somewhat disappointed some Leaf enthusiasts in Nissan Leaf Owners Group on Facebook, saying they are not excited about the 150 miles per charge range, expecting something around 200 miles or range per charge.

Official EPA range numbers are not yet available. But let's see what current Leaf owners and enthusiasts think about the 2018 Leaf if the range is really 150 miles per charge. Consider the fact that Tesla Model 3's range per charge is 215 miles and Chevy Bolt has 200+ miles of range per charge.

A group member, named David, writes that 2018 Nissan Leaf's 150 miles per charge should be plenty for most people. "The only reason you would need more is if you are traveling out of state. However, even 300 miles is really not good enough for that sort of travel with our current state of charging infrastructure. So either way it's a city car," he says.

I think it's still great, but depending on your driving habits it probably shouldn't be your sole car for your family. Some people think of Nissan Leaf as a regional car. "It'll get from LA to San Diego on a single charge and almost twice as far with a pit stop, especially if they offer 100kW+ DCFC. That's usable enough for most people," writes Nevram in the group.

On the other hand if you live in a place where there are lots of hills that will require more power usage. With some of the hills we have in North Carolina, I can't get from city to city. And I certainly can't commute in what would be a perfectly ordinary ICE commute without a charger at work or at some destinations, which just aren't available.

"Same price as the original and twice the range," writes a group member, named Michael. Many people, who bought the original Leaf, made a 75 mile battery work, and it’s $7500 cheaper than the Chevy Bolt. Most Americans don’t want to spend nearly $40,000 for the car, he says.

"For me, that still won't work. On a daily basis? Yes would work but I frequently do a round trip of just below 200miles through mountains to either take my grandma back home or go pick her up and bring her down. Also do 160mile day trips up into the mountains for a day trip. Would've definitely liked to see longer range since I'm liking the look of the new leaf from the spy shots," writes Charlie.

Nissan's Smart Business?

"150 miles is plenty of range for the majority of daily commuters. And a little extra acceleration and electric performance will make the drive that much better. That's smart business for Nissan, if you ask me. The price is much more accessible to the masses and as the $7,500 federal tax credit for Tesla, Chevy, and Nissan ends in 2018/2019, the retail price will be that much more important," writes Eric in the group.

What do you think? After Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt both having more than 200 miles per charge will Nissan Leaf be able to compete well if the range per charge is really confirmed to be 150 miles?