Nissan Leaf discontinued over range issues | Hindalco’s batteries to boost EV range

Nissan is discontinuing the iconic Leaf electric vehicle (EV) because of its range problem and will concentrate on other vehicles such as the Ariya and electric SUVs while Hindalco is tying up to make aluminium-air batteries in a bid to boost the driving range of EVs.

The Leaf EV was first rolled out in 2010 and was pitched as one of the first mass-market battery cars.

Nissan Leaf electric vehicle.

So, why is Nissan discontinuing the Leaf? Apparently, it is because the car major wants to be “more tuned to the needs of the modern electric vehicle buyer.”

But it is not known if it would modify any of its vehicles to rename one of them the Leaf or whether it would discontinue with the Leaf brand name.

Even though Nissan’s Leaf was an iconic EV brand, it was slowly losing out to other cars in sales numbers.

For instance, after Tesla rolled out the Model S with an unthinkable range of 400 miles (643 km) on a single charge, Nissan Leaf’s 70-mile (113 km) range was dwarfed.

Besides the Ariya, Nissan indicated last year that it is making a more SUV-shaped vehicle dubbed the Chill-Out, and production may commence after the Leaf is discontinued.

The sales figures of the Leaf have been less than 175,000 units during its lifespan. Last year, Nissan sold around 14,000 units of the Leaf, a tad higher from below 10,000 in 2020. For 2022, the figure is 7,000 units.

Hindalco’s aluminium-air batteries for EVs soon

Hindalco, in a pact with Israel’s Phinergy and IOC Phinergy Private Limited (IOP), is set to develop aluminium-air batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage.

IOP is a joint venture (JV) between Phinergy and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Aluminium-air electric vehicle battery.

An aluminium-air battery is light weight and has high energy density. This type of battery boosts the driving range of EVs significantly.

It would also pave the way for quick refuelling as well as eliminate the need for charging networks across the nation.

Aluminium-air batteries would allow a more convenient EV adoption and rev up the transition to zero-emission mobility.

Phinergy and IOP will tie up with Hindalco in India for research and development (R&D) and pilot production of aluminium plates for aluminium-air batteries. There will also be a provision to recycle the aluminium after use in these batteries.

Phinergy has expertise in metal-air battery technology.

“Climate action is of utmost importance to us and our pact with Phinergy and IOP is a major step towards decarbonising mobility. India has an abundance of aluminium resources and this technology will help spur the country’s energy and resource security,” Hindalco managing director Satish Pai said.

On the other hand, IOP chairman Sanjeev Gupta said, “Aluminium is abundantly available in India and its usage as an energy-storage medium through this novel technology has great potential. It can significantly boost the Indian government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat push. This tie up will spur India's aspirational journey towards sustainable, affordable and safe energy options for e-Mobility.”

Nissan has been smart with its move to discontinue the Leaf electric vehicle over range issues and Hindalco is tying up to make aluminium-air batteries in a bid to boost the driving range of EVs, but it must also address the battery safety issue.