Next Nissan LEAF to target 400km

News of the next-generation, hybridised GT-R supercar, which is also expected to spawn a sedan version, won't be the headline act of Nissan's exhibit at this year's Tokyo motor show in October.

Instead, it will be the Japanese brand's second-generation LEAF electric car, in the form of the LEAF II Concept.

A revised version of the current, original LEAF hatch will progressively be rolled out globally from next year with a boosted driving range of 300km, which is a substantial improvement to the current model’s 170km.

But even that might not be enough to satisfy motorists concerned with range anxiety and the lack of charging infrastructure.

That’s where the LEAF II concept comes in. By employing new-generation lithium-ion batteries, a more efficient motor and weight-saving technologies including aluminium body parts, the new LEAF is expected to be capable of covering up to 400km on one charge – almost as much as the industry-leading Tesla Model S.

Nissan revealed in January that next-generation lithion-ion battery technology will double the original LEAF's range by 2018, which would eliminate range anxiety for many prospective customers.

As the company that launched the world’s first mass-production electric car in 2010, Nissan has bold plans to expand its EV line-up.

While the LEAF II concept will be the star of the Nissan stand in Tokyo this year, the company has plans to launch a Nissan-branded electric SUV, as well as an Infiniti-branded sedan that will employ the LEAF II's next-gen battery tech.

Our sources say both of those models will be shown in concept form for the first time at the 2017 Tokyo show.

Nissan has been teasing us with concepts like the electric Infiniti LE Concept (pictured), revealed at the 2012 New York show, and according to one Infiniti insider we can expect to see the same edgy signature contours employed on the production Infiniti EV.

Nissan's crossover EV, we are told, will employ similar proportions to the upcoming Tesla Model X.

The Japanese giant has invested heavily in EVs but is acutely aware of what the market is saying about their limited range and charging infrastructure, especially in countries like Australia.

At Nissan’s shareholder meeting in June this year, company CEO Carlos Ghosn announced his ambitious plan to push the range of his company's EVs to 500km within the next few years.

So we could very well see '500km' logos plastered all over the Nissan stage when the Infiniti and Nissan EV concepts appear at the next Tokyo show in two years.

A 500km driving range would go a long way to changing perceptions of EVs globally, that's for sure.