2016 Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt Concept Draw A Crowd In LA (via: Zan Dubin Scott)

Nissan, an official sponsor of Natrional Drive Electric Week - happening now, chose today's event in Los Angeles to launch its 2016 Nissan LEAF.

Chevrolet Concept Bolt Arriving ~Q1 2017 (And no, Chevy was not giving out test drives) Photo: Zan Dubin Scott

Just this week, the company announced that the upgraded 2016 model year would feature a 30 kWh battery, making the LEAF the first "affordable" electric vehicle with more than 100 miles of range.

Specifically, the EPA rates the 2016 Nissan LEAF at 107 miles.

“We are thrilled that Nissan has chosen our event for the global debut of the 2016 Nissan LEAF,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America. “This is the first affordable electric vehicle with an EPA-rated electric range of over 100 miles.”

Nissan currently has one 2016 LEAF on display at the event, while another is out providing test drives.

In total over 800 test drives were given, with Mr. Levin adding live from the event podium:

"Electric cars are changing the world. Every time one of these vehicles gets sold, our air gets a little cleaner. We will take a big bite out of climate change. Our economy will not be subject to wild swings in gas prices. And we will not be involved in foreign wars over oil."

Also at the event right beside it, Chevrolet's Bolt Concept car, which is headed to production late in 2016 (we expect deliveries in Q1 2017) and will feature 200 miles of range with a price tag around $37,500.

Nissan's New, Longer Range 2016 LEAF Turned Up For Test Drives At LA National Drive Electric Week, As Well As Chevrolet's Concept Bolt

The event also featured Leilani Munter talking about her Tesla Model S (and racing in general), famed director Chris Paine, Calidornia State Senator Kevin de Leon, and Tesla's recently debuted Model S P85D police car for the LAPD, part of North America's largests city EV fleet.

Revenge Of The Electric Car Director Chris Paine With Zan Dubin Scott - Communications Director At Plug-In America With LAPD's Tesla Model S P85D (via Zan Dubin Smith)

The Present And Part Of The Future Of Affordable EVs Meet In LA

We will have more photos/footage from the event coming soon.

Our thanks to Zan Dubin Scott for the photos!