Nissan Leaf EV to go around the Philippines soon

MANILA: Nissan is reportedly considering to bring the second-gen Leaf EV in the Philippines. The Leaf EV was introduced in Japan last year followed by different parts of the world including select countries of Europe and the United States.

With the 6th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit getting underway, automakers from different parts of the world showcased their vehicles at the event. Nissan brought its flagship EV, the Leaf from Japan. The flagship EV boasts an entirely-new electric powertrain that is powered by a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery with a max range of 400 km.

However, the range is expected to come down in a real-world setting. The power unit is capable of churning out a max power of 150 PS and a peak torque of 320 Nm. The battery can be completely charged in 8 hours. The setup saves power for amenities like lights, air-conditioning and radio when the car stops moving.

Speaking to officials revealed that the new Nissan Leaf will be launched in seven different markets of the world this fiscal year. However, its launch in the Philippines is still far as the company is still considering and researching as to launch the flagship Leaf in the Philippines market.

One of the biggest hurdles electric vehicle manufacturers face in the Philippines would be infrastructure. There is a scarcity of charging stations across the country, have just a handful of stations that are also not easily accessible.

Lack of infrastructure is surely one of the reasons why major automakers are not keen to offer electric vehicles in the Philippines despite a tax benefit from the new TRAIN-law. The government needs to address this and build charging stations in areas of high traffic. This would not only help existing EV owners but would also escalate electric vehicles trade in the country.