Nissan Leaf with 'Autonomous Drive' (Photo : Reuters/Yuya Shino)
Nissan is already sharing information about the future of its Leaf electric car before this week's Tokyo Motor Show. Next year's models will feature more powerful batteries, higher ranges, and maybe several body styles like Toyota's Prius. The Japanese automaker recently announced that electric vehicles (EV) will soon account for 5 percent of the company's sales. Looking to the future it hopes to develop cars with ranges of 500 kilometers (311 miles) by 2018, and will demonstrate a self-driving Leaf to journalists at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The 2016 Leaf SL and SV models will have a boosted 107 miles (66.5 kilometers) of range. Meanwhile, the entry-level S model's engine will not get an upgrade, so it will stay at 83 miles (51.6 kilometers) of range.
Nissan Executive Vice President Trevor Mann has implied that the car manufacturer could be developing a crossover SUV. The second-gen Leaf will be launched in 2017.
SUVs have become the hottest trend in the auto world. Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently tweeted that his EV company is developing an SUV version of the Model 3 equipped with falcon wing doors, called the Model Y.
Nissan executives Hiroto Saikawa and Akiko Hoshino recently told the press that EVs will soon comprise half of all cars, if "electric" has a broad definition and plug-in hybrids are included. Such cars can stay up-to-par with stricter emissions requirements. In addition, a higher demand will require lower battery prices.
Finally, Nissan is working on autonomous vehicle software. The company will demonstrate a self-driving Leaf concept car to 100 journalists at the Tokyo Motor Show, by meandering through heavy bumper-to-bumper city traffic, according to Gas2.
The Tokyo Motor Show's 44th edition will start on October 28, Wednesday, and last until November 8, according to The Economic Times. It will feature 160 exhibitions.
Here is a first look at the 2016 Nissan Leaf:
