[Raymondjram]

This is a YouTube video showing the factory assembly and tests of the new 2018 Nissan Leaf (Gen 2):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CGMGDK9_SY&t=1

It will be most interesting for "How it's Built" fans.

At 2:52 the interior assembly shows the dash and controls for the right hand drive version.
At 3:22 the battery installation is shown. It seems too thin for a "air cooled" pack.
At 3:55 the electric motor and transaxle is shown. It has a huge radiator, so the new Leaf battery may indeed have a liquid cooled thermal management system after all.

The last parts include heat and cold (-20 C) tests. There are following links toward other Nissan Leaf drive test and reviwes.

 

[jcanoe]

Thanks for posting. The video was very interesting. It illustrates why building EVs will eventually become more attractive to manufacturers and mean a lower vehicle cost for buyers with fewer components/systems, simpler assembly, lower maintenance, lower operating cost. This also means they will require fewer auto factory workers, service technicians.

It also makes it clear that within a specific size/class of vehicle that an EV will win out over any hybrid design because the EV will be simpler to manufacture. I like my 2017 Gen II Volt but I don't believe that GM will ever sell a Gen III Volt, that's just my opinion.

 

[Raymondjram]

Thanks for posting. The video was very interesting. It illustrates why building EVs will eventually become more attractive to manufacturers and mean a lower vehicle cost for buyers with fewer components/systems, simpler assembly, lower maintenance, lower operating cost. This also means they will require fewer auto factory workers, service technicians.

It also makes it clear that within a specific size/class of vehicle that an EV will win out over any hybrid design because the EV will be simpler to manufacture. I like my 2017 Gen II Volt but I don't believe that GM will ever sell a Gen III Volt, that's just my opinion.

I agree that GM will eventually replace the Volt with a new BEV sedan that that can hold a larger (100 kWH?) and provide more EV range than any other hybrid or plug-in on a single tank of gasoline. I can travel a whole month with a single charge!