BESIDES MORE RANGE, what would you like to see in LEAF gen 2

[donald]

So, are we talking generally about features in any EVs that we'd like to see, or specifically a small family saloon/hatch EV?

 

[GoingGreener]

Safety:
-Better Touch Screen Controls (more spaced out buttons, less steps to do what you want) or even better, A Great Voice Command System for Phone, NAV etc... functions - Please keep the NAV updated so we won't need to rely on a separate device!)
-Heads Up Functions?
-Turn Signal Mirror Option
-Collision Avoidance Option
-Lane Keep Assist Option
-Fold Down Rear Seat Headrests

Creature Comforts/Joys:
-A Little Larger Screen for the 1st Safety Item
-USB Port in Back Passenger Area
-Pull Down Center Cup Holder Unit for Rear Seats
-Sunroof Option

Just Cuz It's Been 3+Yrs:
-Faster On Board Charging Ability for A Larger & Heat Resistant Battery Pack
-Stronger, Variable Choice Brake Regeneration
-Over the Air Updates (software tweaks & NAV map updates, etc...)
-Better Steering Control (tighter, etc)
-Has the Door Lock & Unlock Buttons on Front Doors been Finally Lighted Up?! (A simple request since Dec 2011 that will make night time pickup & drop-offs sooo much easier & safer! Just like the window ones on the 2011 please!)

Keepers:
-Keyless Entry & Push Button On & Off
-All Around View
-Size
-Hatch
-5 Seater
-Fold Down Rear Seats
-Fit, Finish & Reliability of 2011
-Thinking we like the aluminum body parts on the 2011 which might have been replaced with steel?

 

[Nubo]

- The primary battery info displayed should be kWh remaining. If the computer is to guess the range or derive percentages of capacity, etc… then have at it. But the measure of fundamental importance is HOW MUCH ENERGY AM I CARRYING. All else is fluff at best and misleading at worst. The computer 3 feet above the left seat trumps anything NISSAN can build or imagine. Give it the right information.

- more robust suspension

- LiFePO accessory battery

- provision to manually close contactor to the dc/dc converter to "self-jump" a dead battery (iirc, EV-1 had this).

- Far more developed NAV/display with up-to-date maps, and a host of information available about battery/module status, economy/mileage charts, tracking etc… People shouldn't have to build their own solutions to see information the car already has.

- The display should always come up with YOUR favorite screen, not Nissan's

- user-selectable regen levels on-the-fly. Let me dial in just the right amount of regen to hold my speed on a long descent.

- user-selectable charge endpoint in increments of 5%.

- customizable start-up sounds. Seriously. Don't underestimate the appeal of such minor things. Customizable display wallpaper too.

- Tesla-compatible fast-charge port.

- Aero, aero, aero. Cd of .24 or less

 

[kubel]

In no particular order:

• Cheaper price.
• Driver radiant heat.
• Heated steering wheel that doesn't cycle off for long periods of time.
• Better parts availability.
• An accurate GOM.
• More data accessible to the driver in relation to battery status.
• Quicker motor.
• PlugShare integration.
• Wireless charging option.
• No nag screen.
• Improved safety, particularly with small overlap collisions.
• Sunroof.
• Light plastic that don't develop micro fractures in extreme cold conditions. All four four corners of my lights cracked, were replaced, and cracked again last winter.

I'm sure I could think of more.

 

[ERG4ALL]

More QCs in good locations. Take a tip from Tesla on building a charging network

 

[bbrowncods]

- Carwings features to turn charging off, adjust temp, etc.
- Charger hatch open light.
- Better location for the USB port.
- Sunroof.
- Rear hatch open button for driver, and key fob.
- Rear hatch button on hatch to automatically close it.
- Auto dimming head lights.

 

[cwerdna]

B) Same with the charger. I have never wanted a faster charger. Well, OK, I could have done with it once in the last 18 months due to an unexpected trip out once I got home. Took an ICE instead - no sweat so why would I want the faster charger. I can see very little argument for needing the 6.6kW charger. Happy to hear any arguments for why you need it.

There are PLENTY of reasons to want it.

At my work, we have 8 self-service J1772 handles + 6 more for EV valets + 2 more off-site at another location for use by valets or self-service + some 120 volts outlets. At last count, we had over 40 EVs/PHEVs. The faster OBCs lets cars finish quicker, allowing for more turnover and more cars to charge.

It lets me plug in very late in the day (say 5 or 5:30 pm) when many EV spots are free and most cars are already done charging, so I'm not causing contention.

Can you imagine if ALL the plug-ins, including the Model S only had 3.3 kW OBCs and we had the same # of EVSEs and EVs/PHEVs?

On weekends, I sometimes use free public L2 charging (30 amp output EVSEs) and walk over to Chipotle to eat, then walk back. Provided I'm not in ramp down phase, I've gained ~2x the juice that I would've w/a 3.3 kW OBC. I've started sessions for cars w/3.3 kW OBCs (e.g. Volt, '11 and '12 Leafs) and looked at their graphs on Chargepoint's site and looked at how much energy was dispensed over a given time and can see a higher wattage OBC makes a HUGE difference.

I also sometimes use that free L2 and sit in my car to catch up on emails or forums.

On a recent Friday, I had to go somewhere after work. Afterwards, I returned to work to charge (after consuming about 50% SoC), took a shower, caught up on emails, and got some work done. I left around the time my car started ramping down. In 1 hour 48 mins, 9.22 kWh was dispensed, so I was nearly full. I believe my car read 98% SoC and when unplugged "jumped" to 100%.

If I had a 3.3 kW OBC, I'd have gained about 1/2 that energy.

That day, I started a session on a Model S parked at work. It pulled down ~25.9 kWh in a bit over 4 hours.

A coworker who knows little about EVs has Fiat 500e (her husband mostly drives it) needed some juice on the way home after a company picnic. Fortunately, her car had a 6.6 kW OBC and it didn't take them long on an Chargepoint (30 amp presumably) EVSE that was charging $1/hour.

Some stations have an hourly rate and bill by that instead of kWh, so if they're 30+ amp EVSEs, that helps those w/higher wattage OBCs. On this note, a local well-known large tech company (not mine) has a policy of charging being $1/hour for 1st 5 hours and $5/hour for each additional. Same deal here w/higher wattage OBC helping.

 

[KJD]

This is a thread discussing things OTHER THAN MORE RANGE, A BIGGER CAPACITY BATTERY, OR IMPROVED BATTERY LONGEVITY that you'd like to see in the next generation leaf.

Things like:
-Faster charging (10kW)
-More aerodynamic
-Higher performance motor
-Better Navigation
-More options for telematics (more climate control options, honk horn, GPS location, etc)
-????

Faster charging would be my pick. We have 3 CHAdeMO stations in this area and all 3 of them have been offline since the middle of June. If the stations never work my QC port is worthless.

The J1772 standard goes up to 80 amps and the LEAF should have that option available. At that rate you could charge the pack from dead to full in just over an hour. Most sessions would be less than an hour because most people do not want to run the pack down to empty.

 

[cwerdna]

Faster charging would be my pick. We have 3 CHAdeMO stations in this area and all 3 of them have been offline since the middle of June. If the stations never work my QC port is worthless.

The J1772 standard goes up to 80 amps and the LEAF should have that option available. At that rate you could charge the pack from dead to full in just over an hour. Most sessions would be less than an hour because most people do not want to run the pack down to empty.

+1 on this. Only problem is >30 amp L2 EVSEs are pretty rare.

A number of the CHAdeMO DC FCs in the South Bay portion of the SF Bay Area were broken for weeks. Some are still broken. Examples:

http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/13491" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - at Nissan's research office
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/37780" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/1385" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/6466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/6277" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/14866" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/10812" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perhaps offer 2 or 3 OBC choices? 6.x kW, 10 kW and 20 kW? If only 2 choices, have 6.x kW standard and 10 kW optional? Or, 10 kW standard and 20 kW optional?

The Model S (and other Tesla-powered vehicles) come w/a 10 kW OBC. Model S has an optional 2nd 10 kW OBC to allow for up to 20 kW charging on an 80 amp EVSE (e.g. http://shop.teslamotors.com/products/high-power-wall-connector" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false.

 

[KJD]

cwerdna, how many of these stations are made by ABB ? The 3 stations here are all ABB and they are junk.

Clipper creek makes a high amp J1772. The cost of these stations would be a fraction of what an ABB CHAdeMO station would cost.
http://www.clippercreek.com/store/product/cs-100-charging-station-with-pedestal/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[cwerdna]

cwerdna, how many of these stations are made by ABB ? The 3 stations here are all ABB and they are junk.

0

6 are http://nissanqc.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
1 is http://www.blinknetwork.com/chargers-commercial-dc-fast.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

AFAIK, there are near 0 ABB CHAdeMO DC FCs in the Bay Area, but I haven't gone out of my way looking for them. It appears most in the Bay Area are one of the above two.

Yes, there are a few CHAdeMO that are other makes:
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/8428" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - Efacec dual-standard (http://www.efacecusa.com/product-services/electric-mobility/ev-chargers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false. Previously had a Blink DC FC there.
http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/10076" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - looks like http://www.btcpower.com/products-and-applications/EV-Fast-Charger/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are some ABB Combo1 DC FCs (e.g. http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/51792" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false popping up at NRG eVgo locations ("Freedom Stations"?). I wonder how they'll hold up.

 

[KJD]

The other thing that I would like to see in LEAF Gen 2 is more options on interior color and material. Not everyone wants black leather in the SL, that is just stupid.

 

[evnow]

+1 on variable (and stronger regen).

Also great would be heated windshield. This would avoid using heat in mild colder conditions.

 

[DaveEV]

Well, if I can't get more range, here's what I'd want to make the most of available range.

1. Faster L2 charging. 40A would be great as standard with 80A as an option.
2. Full speed CHAdeMO - take a full 50 kW to 80% SOC.
3. More efficiency. 115 MPGe on the highway and 140 MPGe in the city.
4. QC stations every 15 miles - each location must have multiple QC stations and L2 stations for reliability and availability.
5. Charge level slider from 50-100% in 5% increments.

 

[evnow]

I don't think OP is saying there won't be more range - that's a given.

 

[TickTock]

1) Unobstructed rearview visibility with rear headrests in place
2) Bluetooth android mirroring

 

[minispeed]

Some very good suggestions, I really like the idea of:

1. Radiant heat for the driver
2. Electric front window defroster
3. Better aerodynamics

I would also like to add:

1. Partner with google for the in dash unit, all Nav / Phone / Radio / Charging functions should then benefit from updates and then it should be open to app development.
2. AWD, not so much for traction or performance but to allow a low geared front electric drive to get more regen breaking, more off the line acceleration and then to cut out at highway speed and allow a rear highway tunned drive to take over. Possibly pair the low geared front with a super capacitor to allow almost 100% regen. Also alow smart monitoring of usage patterns to pre charge super capacitor and allow the first bit of the trip to use 0 battery.
3. Eco mode coast function when you take your foot off the acelerator and sport mode extra regen (ie 1 foot driving)
4. Larger narrower tires like the i3
5. Charge timer should be able to be set for each individual charger location you store and be on time of use. ie you plug in after the timer set it will start right away
6. Cabin pre heating/cooling should be smart. ie for home and work locations when plugged in it should learn the time you leave and using the outdoor temp and your usual climate settings it should turn on automatically when it needs to.
7. Optional propane heater using a small camping sized canister for extreme cold
8. auto park, get rid of creep. If you take your foot off the brake the car should just hold until the gas is pressed. If it's not pressed for a set time it should go into park.
9. more leg room, front and back and a tilt/teloscopic wheel


If you want to get really fancy...

10. Electronic tint, fully blacked out when parked on a hot day
11. air suspension that lowers on the highway

 

[abasile]

Here's my wish list:
1. AWD
2. Tesla Supercharger access
3. Faster L2 charger (10+ kW)
4. Wagon version with kiddie jumpseats in the rear would be nice, but maybe it would no longer be a LEAF
5. Sunroof
6. Frunk

 

[dhanson865]

Larger narrower tires like the i3

I like the idea but split the difference. The leaf has used 16" rims in the past and the i3 uses 19" or 20" rims with tires as narrow as 155 on both the 19" and 20". I'd go for 17" rims with 155 width tires, adjust the aspect ratio to get the required contact patch and adjust the speedometer/odometer to match the given RPM.

I'm not so keen on the i3 using different size tires front vs back in some configurations. Lets not push it to that extreme on a mass market car (yes I expect Leaf gen 2 to target the masses).

It would be nice if Leaf gen 2 would get us back down below 185mm tires (which were common on Gen II prius), as much as I want to see 155mm, I'm willing to settle for 165mm or 175mm as a step in the right direction.

 

[smkettner]

A battery that actually holds up.
And/or a battery cooling system to bring the battery to 72 degrees once a day while charging in the heat of summer.
Time will tell on the lizard but Nissan needs to go to the next level.