Nissan RE-LEAF in detail

The RE-LEAF working prototype is based on the Nissan LEAF passenger car, the world’s first mass-production electric car. The prototype supports the three “REs” of disaster preparedness – providing an emergency response, aiding the humanitarian recovery and improving community resilience for the future.

To help the car navigate roads with obstructions or fallen debris, the RE-LEAF’s ride height has been raised by 70 millimetres to 225 mm with a custom “sump guard” to protect the car’s floor pan. Wider tracks (+90 mm front/+130 mm rear), custom wheel arches, mud flaps and all-terrain tires on 17-inch motorsports wheels add to the capability.

The large capacity and high reliability of the LEAF’s lithium-ion battery ensures a stable power supply to support multiple line-powered devices. The integrated energy management system is able to output the RE-LEAF battery’s power at up to 230 volts. There are three sockets – two weatherproof external C-form connectors for easy access, and an internal domestic socket mounted in the trunk.

Once the RE-LEAF arrives at a disaster zone, a bespoke pull-out desk extends from the trunk with a 32-inch LED screen and dedicated power supply creating an operational hub to run communications from and manage the recovery process.

Once power is restored, the LEAF can be recharged using three charging profiles, even using domestic sockets if no EV infrastructure is available in the immediate vicinity.

Real-world applications of EVs during disasters

Natural disasters are the biggest cause of power outages. A 2019 World Bank report found natural shocks and climate change caused 37% of outages in Europe between 2000 and 2017, and 44% of outages in the U.S. over the same period.

When a disaster hits, the time for electricity supply to be restored is typically 24 to 48 hours, depending on the severity of the damage. During that period, electric vehicles can provide zero-emission mobile emergency power.

Nissan EVs can also act as mobile storage batteries to supply homes and society with electricity during non-emergency situations through Nissan Energy Share, creating a distributable energy model that can be used to help stabilize supply and demand. The RE-LEAF uses the LEAF’s bidirectional charging ability, a standard feature of the model since its introduction in 2010. This means the LEAF can not only “pull” power to recharge the high-capacity battery, but also “push” it back to the grid through V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology, or directly to electric devices through V2X (Vehicle-to-everything).

Improving resilience with EVs

Acting as a portable power station, the latest generation Nissan LEAF e+ with a fully charged 62-kilowatt-hour battery can provide enough electricity to power the average European household for six days.

As a disaster recovery vehicle, the RE-LEAF can power multiple devices simultaneously. Here are some examples based on 230-volt power use:

• Electric jackhammer – 24 hours – 36 kWh
• Pressure ventilation fan – 24 hours – 21.6 kWh
• 10-litre soup kettle – 24 hours – 9.6 kWh
• Intensive care medical ventilator – 24 hours – 3 kWh
• 100-watt LED floodlight – 24 hours – 2.4 kWh

Once electricity is restored to the area, EVs can be recharged and provide zero-emission transport – up to 385 kilometres on a single charge of a LEAF e+ battery.

Stay tuned to these pages for more information on Nissan’s electric vehicle innovations and how they will help shape the upcoming generation of fully-electric passenger vehicles.

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Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.