2012 Nissan Leaf available in late November, 2013 Leaf to get uprated onboard charger

Jul 12th 2011 at 1:00PM

2011 Nissan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery

For 2012, the Nissan Leaf gains, as standard equipment, the "cold weather package." This kit consists of a battery heater, heated outside mirrors, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats and an HVAC duct to the rear seating area. In addition, the up-level 2012 Leaf SL gets a standard quick-charge port. According to Green Car Reports, the 2012 Leaf will be available to order starting in late November.

Another Leaf-related modification is reportedly coming in 2013 too. GCR says that Katherine Zachary, Nissan's senior manager of corporate communications, has confirmed that, come 2013, the Leaf's onboard charger will get an upgrade, jumping from the current 3.3-kilowatt rating to 6.6 kW. This means that 2013 Leafs will, at least in theory, charge twice as quickly as 2011 Leafs.

Nissan has yet to announce pricing for the 2012 Leaf, but says that it expects to do so sometime soon.