Gallery: Four staggeringly versatile Nissan LEAF concepts

Think electric vehicles have limitations? Think again. The Nissan LEAF, for example, is a great all-electric all-rounder. So much so that it has been adapted into some highly unusual concept cars that demonstrate different strengths of the LEAF and prove just how exciting, flexible and robust electric cars can be.

In short, if the Nissan LEAF can do all of this, then it's clearly more than capable enough for you and your family.

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Even in its road-going production guise, the Nissan LEAF is incredibly capable and feature-packed. With a technology-packed interior, 60:40 split folding seats, 435 litres of boot space and plenty of room for five people, the Nissan LEAF rivals many of its petrol-powered competitors for practicality and technology.

Performance is electrifying, too. Nissan LEAF e+ models boast a 62kWh battery mated to a powerful motor that produces 217PS and 340Nm of instant electric torque. The outcome? A hot hatch-like 0-60mph in just 6.9 seconds and 239 miles of all-electric range (WLTP combined).[1] Plus, with the intelligent lithium-ion batteries stored low down in the chassis, a low centre of gravity makes for engaging handling and composed body control.

Click the right arrow to discover four incredible Nissan LEAF concept cars.

To find out more about the Nissan LEAF, head to nissan.co.uk/leaf

[1] Laminated lithium-ion LEAF e+ 62kWh battery with 239 miles range. WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors such as the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.

In 2019, Nissan combined the power of regenerative braking technology and Christmas cheer to create this stunning light-studded Nissan TREE.

In the Nissan LEAF, regenerative braking works with the e-Pedal, letting the driver accelerate, decelerate and stop using only the accelerator. When decelerating, the e-Pedal harvests energy and feeds it back into the batteries. This works by recycling the energy from the movement of the car during braking or deceleration. Meanwhile, B mode is a driving function that regenerates energy, with drivers using the traditional brake pedal as normal.

To prove how much clean energy can be regenerated using the e-Pedal and B mode, Nissan decided to fit the LEAF with thousands of LEDs, baubles and a reindeer – all powered solely by the energy restored through regeneration.

In fact, the average Nissan LEAF driver regenerates 744kWh of clean energy if they drive around 11,180 miles[2]. This energy saving is equivalent to 20% of the overall domestic electricity consumption of an average UK household.[3] This amount of energy generated by the LEAF could also power:

• 266 Christmas trees with 700 incandescent lights for an hour

• 297 ovens for one hour

• 744 televisions for five hours

• 10,783 houses with 1000 LED lights for five hours

[2] Visit uk.nissannews.com for more information

[3] Based on average UK annual domestic electricity consumption of 3,731kWh. For more info, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-consumption-in-the-uk

When natural disasters hit, it can typically take between 24-48 hours for power to be restored. So, Nissan created the all-electric LEAF-based response vehicle – coined the RE-LEAF – to provide zero-tailpipe emission, mobile emergency power[4].

Having undergone significant modification to ensure it could tackle the harshest of environments – with a ride height raised by 70mm, tracks widened by 90mm front and 130mm rear, custom wheel arches, mud flaps and all-terrain tyres – the RE-LEAF’s 62kWh capacity lithium-ion batteries allow for a stable power supply to support a multitude of mains-powered devices.

[4] Visit uk.nissannews.com for more information

Using clever bi-directional V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) charging ability – a standard feature of the LEAF since 2010 – the RE-LEAF ‘pushes’ power back to the grid, or directly to electronic devices through V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) technology.

This isn’t the first time the LEAF has been used for disaster support. After the 2011 tsunami on Japan’s northern coast that cut power to 4.8 million homes and 2019’s Typhoon Faxai, Nissan provided LEAF vehicles to community centre and disaster relief teams to provide essential backup power as well as transport.

The LEAF’s battery capabilities continue to evolve. Acting as a portable power station, the latest-generation Nissan LEAF e+ with a fully charged 62kWh battery can provide enough electricity to power the average UK household for around six days.[3]

[3] Based on average UK annual domestic electricity consumption of 3,731kWh. For more info, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-consumption-in-the-uk

The Nismo RC – a race-tuned LEAF-based track car developed by Nissan – features dual electric motors, producing 322bhp and 472lb ft of torque[5]. Combined with all-wheel drive, it achieves 0-62mph in an eye-watering 3.4 seconds.

With just six built, the Nismo RC was used for demonstration runs at various events – including at race-weekends alongside Nissan's title-winning Formula E team. It was designed to show how Nissan is setting its sights even higher when it comes to raw power and performance – making electric vehicles even more exciting for customers.

[5] Visit uk.nissannews.com for more information

The drivetrain for the RC is based on the road-going LEAF, featuring lithium-ion batteries and inverters. The use of a carbonfibre monocoque and lightweight components means that the car weighs just 1220kg, while reworked bodywork – length increased to 4546mm, with a 2750mm wheelbase and ground clearance of 1212mm – provides aggressive looks and eye-catching aerodynamics.

Having partnered with Mackie's of Scotland – an ice-cream producer, powering its family-owned dairy farm by renewable wind and solar energy – Nissan created this ‘Sky to Scoop’ project, where a Nissan e-NV200 all-electric van helps reduce the carbon dependence at the delivery stage of the ice cream journey.[6]

[6] Visit uk.nissannews.com for more information

Powered by a 40kWh battery, the e-NV200 can travel up to 182 miles (City Cycle WLTP)[7], with the internals powered by Nissan Energy ROAM – a portable power pack that uses lithium-ion cells recovered from early first-generation Nissan electric vehicles. This provides a sustainable second-life for Nissan EV batteries.

Versatile, adaptable and dependable, each of these concepts demonstrate the utter usability of the both the all-electric Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 van. If they can do all this, they’ll be perfect for any of your adventures.

To find out more about the Nissan e-NV200, head to nissan.co.uk

[7] WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.