Molly Ayala
The Nissan Leaf is one of the oldest battery-electric vehicles on the market, with the first model unveiled in 2009 and production beginning in 2010. It has been offered exclusively as a 5-door hatchback until 2025, when the third-generation model was released as a crossover SUV. The Leaf was the world's best-selling electric car from 2011 to 2014 and 2016, and by early 2020, it was listed as the world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric car.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Launch | 2010 |
| First Electric Car | Yes, it was the world's first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle |
| Best-Selling Electric Car | Yes, from 2011 to 2014, in 2016, and until the end of 2019 |
| Current Status | Being phased out |
| Year of Phase-out | Mid-2020s |
| Successor | Yes, in 2026 |
| Successor's Features | Modern EV, designed for today's buyers, likely to be a crossover SUV model, with improved range and charging speed |
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What You'll Learn
Nissan Leaf's history as an electric car
The Nissan Leaf is a battery-electric car manufactured by Nissan and has been in production since 2010. It was the first mass-market electric car, unveiled on 1 August 2009, and has been offered exclusively as a 5-door hatchback until 2025. The term "LEAF" is a backronym for "leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car".
The Nissan Leaf was an early entrant to the electric car market and quickly became a favourite, with a comfortable interior, decent range, and an attractive price. It was the world's best-selling electric car from 2011 to 2014 and again in 2016, and by early 2020, over 500,000 Leafs had been delivered. The Leaf received numerous awards, including the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan.
However, sales of the Nissan Leaf have been falling in recent years as more automakers have entered the electric vehicle market, offering more advanced features, enhanced designs, and longer ranges. In 2020, the Tesla Model 3 surpassed the Leaf to become the best-selling electric car in history. Nissan has since announced that it will phase out the current generation of the Leaf by the mid-2020s, with a redesigned successor planned for release in 2026.
Despite its upcoming phase-out, the Nissan Leaf has played a pivotal role in establishing the widespread acceptability of electric vehicles. Its affordable price point, starting at around $25,000, made it accessible to a wide range of consumers. Additionally, the Leaf proved the durability and viability of EV battery packs, offering an eight-year or 100,000-mile guarantee in the US.
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Nissan Leaf's awards and recognition
The Nissan Leaf has received numerous awards and recognition since its release. Unveiled in 2009 as the world's first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle, the Leaf has become a symbol of environmentally-friendly and affordable family cars.
Some of the notable awards received by the Nissan Leaf include:
- The 2010 Green Car Vision Award
- The 2011 European Car of the Year
- The 2011 World Car of the Year
- The 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan
- The 2018 'Lowest Cost to Own Award' from Kelley Blue Book
- The 2018 Best of Innovation award from the Consumer Technology Association
- The 2018 Best-Selling All-Electric Vehicle award
- The 2022 'Best Family Electric Car' at the UK Carbuyer's Best Used Car Awards
In addition to these accolades, the Leaf has also achieved impressive sales figures, with global deliveries totalling 577,000 cars by February 2022. It was the world's best-selling electric car from 2011 to 2014 and in 2016, and it held the record for the world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric car until 2020 when it was surpassed by the Tesla Model 3.
The Nissan Leaf has also been recognised for its innovative features, such as its spacious interior, heated seats, and advanced driver assistance and safety features. With each new generation, the Leaf has continued to improve, offering increased range, more power, and enhanced technology.
The Leaf has not only been a commercial success but also a pioneer in the electric vehicle market, solidifying its place as one of the most acclaimed and influential electric cars in history.
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Nissan Leaf's battery and charging
The Nissan Leaf is a battery-electric car that has been manufactured by Nissan since 2010. The Leaf was the world's first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle, and it has been offered exclusively as a 5-door hatchback until 2025, which will see the release of a crossover SUV model.
The Nissan Leaf has a 40 kWh battery pack (39 kWh usable) with an EPA-rated range of 243 km (151 miles). The electric motor produces 110 kW (147 hp) and 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) of torque. The car can be charged through either a 6.6 kW regular plug (SAE J1772 in the US/Japan, or a Type 2 connector in EU countries) or a 50 kW CHAdeMO, and has the ability to send power back to the grid. The Leaf also offers one-pedal braking, where easing off the accelerator pedal causes significant regenerative braking, which can bring the vehicle to a complete stop without the driver needing to touch the brake pedal.
There are several options for charging a Nissan Leaf. The car can be charged at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, or at a public charging station using a Level 3 charger. Level 1 charging is the slowest option, adding approximately 2 to 5 miles to the car's driving range every hour. Level 2 charging requires a 240-volt charging dock on a dedicated outlet, and Level 3 charging is only compatible with certain electric vehicles, although most Level 3 chargers are compatible with the Nissan Leaf.
Nissan has partnered with Wallbox to offer qualifying 2025 Nissan Leaf owners a special offer on the Pulsar Plus® home charger, which can be professionally installed by certified technicians. Nissan has also developed the NissanConnect® EV & Services app, which allows Leaf owners to access various features of their electric vehicles, including charging station information, and the ability to start charging remotely.
The time it takes to charge a Nissan Leaf will depend on several factors, including the type of charger used, the power source, ambient temperature, battery temperature, condition, and age, and the use of vehicle accessories while charging. It is recommended that the Leaf is charged to 80% to protect the battery and maximise efficiency.
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Nissan Leaf's sales and market performance
The Nissan Leaf has been a successful electric vehicle (EV) in the market since its launch. Unveiled in August 2009, it was the world's first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle. The Leaf was introduced in 2010 and quickly became the world's best-selling electric car for several years, receiving various awards and recognition for its innovation and impact on the automotive industry.
By December 2020, the Leaf was sold in 59 markets around the world. As of December 2019, the Leaf was the world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric car, with global sales across both generations totalling 577,000 by February 2022. Europe was the biggest market, with more than 208,000 units sold by September 2021, of which 72,620 units were registered in Norway, the leading European national market. By December 2021, U.S. sales totaled 165,710 units, and Japan had sold 157,059 units.
The Nissan Leaf has gone through three generations of design. The first generation, which garnered both acclaim and criticism, was in production from 2010 to 2017. The second-generation Leaf was introduced in October 2017, with deliveries in North America and Europe beginning in February 2018. This generation aimed to appeal to a broader audience by appearing more like a regular compact car. In 2018, global sales reached a record level of 87,149 units, third behind the Tesla Model 3 and the BAIC EC-Series.
In March 2025, Nissan revealed details of the third-generation Leaf, which is expected to be released later that year with substantial updates to its design, platform, and performance. This new generation will depart from its previous hatchback form and adopt a subcompact crossover-style body. Nissan has stated that the vehicle will offer significant range improvements, with an estimated driving range of over 300 miles (480 km) on select configurations.
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Nissan Leaf's future and upcoming changes
The Nissan Leaf has been exclusively a 5-door hatchback since its launch in 2010, but the 2025 model will see it become a crossover SUV. The Leaf was the first mass-market electric car and has been the world's best-selling electric car from 2011-2014 and in 2016. It was also the world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric car as of December 2019.
Nissan has revealed that the third-generation Leaf will have a stylish, "sleek and spacious" crossover design, with a full glass roof. It will be built on the AmpR Medium platform, which it will share with the Nissan Ariya compact crossover. The new model will retain a single-motor, front-wheel-drive layout.
The 2025 Leaf will have a greater driving range than its predecessors, with an estimated range of over 300 miles (480km) on select configurations. This is a significant improvement on the previous model's range of 149 to 212 miles (240 to 341km). The new model will also support faster charging and will be the first Nissan vehicle to adopt the North American Charging System (NACS), making it compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network.
The 2025 Leaf will feature a 8" touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as the latest Nissan Connect software interface. It will also have a suite of advanced features, including the NissanConnect® EV & Services app, which will allow users to control certain features of the car from their smartphones.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Nissan Leaf has always been all-electric. It was unveiled in 2009 as the world's first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle.
The first-generation Nissan Leaf was unveiled in August 2009, with production and delivery beginning in 2010.
The range of the Nissan Leaf has improved over the years. The 2025 model has an estimated driving range of over 300 miles (480 km) on select configurations. The Leaf S provides 149 miles, while the SV Plus provides 212 miles.
The Nissan Leaf has many features, including instant acceleration, advanced driver assistance, and safety features. It also has a modern interior with great cargo space and fold-down rear seats. The Leaf is also compatible with the MyNISSAN app, which allows for easy home and public charging.
