Nissan reveals the Re-Leaf emergency vehicle concept

Nissan has unveiled a fully electric emergency response vehicle concept, designed to provide a mobile power supply following natural disasters or extreme weather events.

Called the Re-Leaf, the working prototype is based on the Nissan Leaf, the world's first mass-production electric vehicle.

The Re-Leaf features weatherproof plug sockets mounted directly to the exterior of the vehicle, which enable 110V to 230V devices to be powered from the car's high-capacity lithium-ion battery.

The Re-Leaf can thus be driven into the centre of a disaster zone and provide a fully mobile power supply to aid the recovery process. The integrated energy management system can run medical, communications, lighting, and other life-supporting equipment.

Acting as a portable power supply, the latest generation Nissan Leaf e+ with a fully charged 62kWh battery can provide enough electricity to power the average U.K. household for around six days.

The Re-Leaf's amber colour scheme is a nod to the ancient Greek word for amber: Electron - the origin of the word 'electricity'. This pairs with the blue colour scheme of Nissan's Intelligent Mobility vision to reference the concept's connected abilities. A roof-mounted LED light bar also displays amber flashes to alert other road users to the vehicle's approach.

To help the car navigate roads with obstructions or fallen debris, the Re-Leaf's ride height has been raised by 70mm to a total of 225mm, while a custom 'sump guard' helps to protect the car's floor pan. Wider tracks, custom wheel arches, mud flaps and all-terrain tyres on 17-inch motorsport wheels add to the capability.

The rear seats have also been removed and the floor levelled to provide storage for essential equipment. A custom bulk-head cage also separates the front seats from the cargo area.

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