TheNissan Leaf (Japanese:日産・リーフ,Hepburn:Nissan Rīfu; stylized asLEAF) is abattery-electric car manufactured byNissan, produced since 2010. It was offered exclusively as a 5-doorhatchback until 2025, which since then has become acrossover SUV model. The term "LEAF" serves as abackronym toleadingenvironmentally-friendlyaffordablefamily car.[3]
The Leaf was unveiled on 1 August 2009[4] as the world's firstmass market electric and zero-emission vehicle.[5] Among other awards and recognition, it received the 2010Green Car Vision Award, the 2011European Car of the Year, the 2011World Car of the Year, and the 2011–2012Car of the Year Japan. The Leaf'srange on a full charge has been steadily increased from 117 km (73 miles) to 364 km (226 miles) (EPA rated) by the use of larger battery packs and several minor improvements.
As of September 2021[update], European sales totalled more than 208,000,[6] and as of December 2021[update], over 165,000 had been sold in the U.S.,[7] and 157,000 in Japan.[8] Global sales across both generations totalled 577,000 by February 2022.[9] The Leaf was the world's all-time top sellingplug-in electric car until it was surpassed in early 2020 by theTesla Model 3.[10][11]
The first generation Nissan Leaf was in production from 2010 to 2017. It was unveiled on 1 August 2009[4] as the world's firstseries producedbattery electric vehicle.[5] Before it officially commenced production, Nissan developed three prototype battery electric vehicles—dubbed the EV-01, EV-02 and EV-11. The former two were based on theZ11 Nissan Cube while the latter was based on theC11 Nissan Tiida.[12] It began production on 22 October 2010 at the Oppama facility inYokosuka, Kanagawa.[13][14][15] Until early 2013, models sold in Europe and the US were imported from the Oppama plant adapted stylistically for the respective markets. On 12 December 2012, battery manufacturing began at the Smyrna plant, with official production of the Leaf initiating on 9 January 2013. Manufacturing in the UK began on 28 March 2013.
Initially, the Leaf was available exclusively with a large battery pack composed of 192 flat, laminatedlithium-ion cells developed in collaboration withNEC, which offers advantages such as simplified design, efficient cooling, and optimal packaging. The battery pack is located under the floor and between the wheels, optimising the vehicle's handling and interior space. The electric motor produces 80 kW (110 hp) of power with a range of about 160 km (100 miles) when the battery is fully charged. Recharging can take 16 hours on 110V or 8 hours on 220V power. Fast charging is also available with a specific charger, which can restore 80% of the battery capacity in approximately 30 minutes.
The first generation Leaf garnered both acclaim and criticism from multiple automotive critics.Car and Driver, an American automotive magazine, expressed unfavourable opinions about the inexpensive materials used in the vehicle, asserting that they seem more fitting for a car priced at half its actual cost. However, they commended the Leaf for its spacious boot/trunk, along with features like standard heated seats and, in higher-end models, a heated steering wheel and leather seats. Opinions on the battery performance and safety aspects vary, with some finding the battery and range underwhelming and others expressing concerns about safety levels.
In October 2017, for the 2018 model year, Nissan launched the new generation Leaf in Japan, and deliveries in North America and Europe began in February 2018.[19] In 2018, global sales reached a record level of 87,149 units, third behind theTesla Model 3 and theBAIC EC-Series.[20]
Mechanically, the second generation Leaf is similar to the first, while adding more range, and more power. Stylistically, it is a major departure from the previous model.[21] The interior addsAndroid Auto & AppleCarPlay.
It has a 40 kWh battery pack (39 kWh usable) with an EPA-rated range of 243 km (151 miles).[18] The electric motor produces 110 kW (147 hp) and 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) of torque.[17] It charges through either a 6.6 kW regular plug (SAE J1772 in US/Japan, or aType 2 connector in EU countries) or a 50 kWCHAdeMO, and has the ability tosend power back to the grid.[22]
Propilot Assist, alane centering system, is available on the two highest trim levels for an additional cost, and hasautomatic parking in some markets.[23] The car offers one-pedal braking where easing off the accelerator pedal causes significant regenerative braking, to the point where the vehicle can be brought to a complete stop without the driver touching the brake pedal, at which point hydraulic brakes are automatically applied, to hold the vehicle in position.[24]
From 2019, a Leaf e+ (Leaf Plus in North America) variant has been offered. It has a larger 62 kWh battery (59 kWh usable) providing an EPA range of 364 km (226 miles),[25] and a new 160 kW motor. It can use CHAdeMO chargers up to 100 kW.[26]
In September 2020, Nissan showed off a novel UK prototype emergency services version of the Leaf for natural disaster response, dubbed the RE-LEAF,[27] based on the 62 kWh LEAF e+ (sold in the U.S. as the Plus).[28] The working concept vehicle is ruggedized with an elevated ride height of 70 mm (2.8 in), underbody protection and all-terrain tires on motorsport wheels. It is intended to serve as a reliable mobile power source for a small command center, offering weatherproof external power outlets for site lighting, tools or emergency medical equipment. Other modifications include a cargo area in place of the rear seats, separated from the passenger area by a cage, a rear hatch area that opens to a workstation area with pull-out computer desk and 810 mm (32 in) LCD monitor, and roof-mounted emergency lights.[29] While there was no word of an actual production version, the concept was well received in the automotive, EV and tech media.[30][31][32]
In June 2022, the Leaf received a facelift for the 2023 model year. In the US, the EPA range was slightly reduced to 240 km (149 miles) for the 40 kWh version and 341 km (212 miles) for the 62 kWh version.[33]
European Leafs are offered in the following trim lines: Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta, and Tekna.
The N-Connecta adds from Acenta an intelligent around view monitor with moving object detection and front and rear parking sensors, part synthetic leather and cloth trim, heat pack with heated seats and heated steering wheel, 43 centimetre (17 inch) alloy wheels, and privacy glass.
Tekna adds from N-Connecta ProPILOT Advanced Driver Assistance System, Bose speakers, part leather seats withUltrasuede trim, LED fog lamps with cornering function, and electronic parking brake.
The North American Leafs were initially sold in S, SV and SL trim lines. In 2018, for the 2019 model year, the S Plus, SV Plus, and SL Plus trims were added. The S and SV trim levels can be had with either the Leaf or Leaf Plus battery pack. The SL is only available in the Leaf Plus configuration.[34]
The Mexican model arrived on 24 August 2018 as a 2019 model, and was offered in S, SL, and SL Bitono trim lines.[35]
Nissan began to release details of the third-generation Leaf in March 2025. It was unveiled on 17 June 2025, with substantial updates to its design, platform, and performance. The model is expected to be released later that year. Departing from its previous hatchback form, the new Leaf will adopt a subcompactcrossover-style body built on theAmpR Medium platform, shared with the largerNissan Ariya compact crossover.[41] The new Leaf will retain asingle-motor, front-wheel-drive layout and will not offerdual-motor, all-wheel-drive like the Ariya. Availability has been confirmed for North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.[42]
Nissan has stated that the vehicle will offer "significant range improvements", with an estimated driving range of over 485 km (300 miles) on select configurations—compared to the previous model’s EPA-rated range of 240 to 341 km (149 to 212 miles).[41] The Leaf will also support faster charging and become the first Nissan vehicle to adopt theNorth American Charging System (NACS), making it compatible with theTesla Supercharger network.[42]
Two liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery options are available, both of which offer thermal conditioning functionality. The 52 kWh battery has an output of 130 kW (174 hp) and 344 N⋅m (254 lb⋅ft). The 75 kWh battery has an output of 160 kW (214 hp) and 354 N⋅m (261 lb⋅ft).[43]
The production version was unveiled in August 2009.[44] After receiving 20,000 pre-orders in the United States,[45] Nissan stopped taking reservations in the United States until early 2011. Production in Japan started in October 2010,[13] and delivery in the US[46] and Japan began in December, with deliveries in other markets beginning in early 2012. By December 2020 the Leaf was sold in 59 markets around the world.[47]
The Leaf was the world's best selling electric car from 2011 to 2014[48][49][50] and 2016.[51] Sales fell in 2015 with overall sales led by theTesla Model S.[49][52] As of December 2019[update], the Leaf listed as the world's all-time best sellingplug-in electric car.[53] By early 2020, theTesla Model 3 surpassed the Leaf to become the new best selling electric car in history.[10]
By February 2022, global Leaf deliveries totaled 577,000 cars.[9] As of September 2021[update], Europe was listed as the biggest market with more than 208,000 units sold,[6] of which 72,620 units had been registered in Norway, the leading European national market.[54] As of December 2021[update], U.S. sales totaled 165,710 units through December 2021,[7] and 157,059 units in Japan.[8]
^abKane, Mark (6 September 2021)."Nissan Celebrates Sales Of 250,000 EVs In Europe". InsideEVs. Retrieved7 September 2021.The cumulative number includes over 208,000 LEAFs (first- and second-generation), as well as about 42,000 Nissan e-NV200 medium-size vans.
^ab"Nissan LEAF gets a new glow for 2022 with sharp design and advanced tech" (Press release). Paris: Nissan Europe. 23 February 2022. Retrieved4 March 2022.The Nissan LEAF has always been about making advanced technology and the thrill of electric driving accessible to everyone with over 577,000 customers worldwide.
^Nissan (3 December 2020)."Nissan marks 10 years of LEAF sales, with over 500,000 sold worldwide". Automotive World. Retrieved11 December 2020.Nissan today celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Nissan LEAF and the delivery of 500,000 LEAF vehicles since the model was first introduced. More than 148,000 have been sold in the United States
^"Record-breaking year for plug-in cars".Fleet News. 15 January 2016. Retrieved17 January 2016.Leaf registrations in the UK totaled 5,236 units in 2015, up from 4,051 in 2014.
^Solberg Thorsen, Øyvind (5 January 2021),Bilåret 2020 – hovedtall og fakta for alle kjøretøygrupper [The Automobile Year 2020 – overall sales and facts for all vehicle categories](PDF) (in Norwegian), Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV), p. 26, archived fromthe original(PDF) on 26 January 2021
^Solberg Thorsen, Øyvind (3 January 2020),Bilåret 2019 – fakta og trender [The Automobile Year 2019 – facts and trends](PDF) (in Norwegian), Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV), p. 19, archived fromthe original(PDF) on 4 February 2022
^"Bilsalget i 2018" [Car sales in 2018] (in Norwegian). Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV). Archived fromthe original on 21 December 2021.
^ab"Bilsalget i 2017" [Car sales in 2017] (in Norwegian). Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV). Archived fromthe original on 10 January 2018.
^"Bilsalget i desember" [Car sales in December] (in Norwegian). Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV). January 2016. Archived fromthe original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved7 February 2016.Leaf registrations in Norway totaled 3,189 new units in 2015 and 4,781 in 2014. On the heading "Registreringsstatistikken t.o.m. desember 2015" click "2015, des, Personbiler, Merkefordelt"
^ab"Bilsalget i 2014" [Car sales in 2014] (in Norwegian). Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV). January 2015. Archived fromthe original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved4 February 2015.Click on "Modellfordelt" to display the top 20 selling new cars in Norway: A total of 4,781 new Leafs were sold in 2014 and 4,604 in 2013.
^Sweden, Bil (2 January 2014)."Nyregistreringar december 2013 prel" [New registrations in December 2013 prel] (in Swedish). Bil Sweden. Archived fromthe original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved20 January 2014.Download file "Nyregistreringar december 2013 prel.pdf" see table "NYREGISTRERADE SUPERMILJÖBILAR DECEMBER 2013" with summary of PEV sales by model for 2013 and 2012.
^Sweden, Bil (2 January 2015)."Nyregistreringar december 2014 (prel)" [New registrations in December 2014 (preliminar)] (in Swedish). Bil Sweden. Archived fromthe original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved4 January 2015.Download file "Nyregistreringar december 2014 (prel)" see table: "Nyregistrerade supermiljöbilar december 2014" with summary of plug-in passenger car registrations by model for 2013 (revised) and 2014.
^Sweden, Bil (4 January 2016)."Nyregistreringar december 2015 def" [New Registrations December 2015 (final)] (in Swedish). Bil Sweden. Archived fromthe original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved22 January 2016.Download the pdf file "Nyregistreringar december 2015 def" See table: Nyregistrerade miljöpersonbilar december 2015
^"Datos de Mercado: Diciembre 2012 – Matriculaciones de automóviles" [Market data: December 2012 – Automobiles registrations] (in Spanish). Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas (ANIACAM). 12 December 2012. Archived fromthe original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved19 January 2013.Download the file DossierAutomóviles_diciembre12.xls with current month and cumulative sales for 2012.
^"Datos de Mercado: Diciembre 2014 – Matriculaciones" [Market data: December 2014 – Registrations] (in Spanish). Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas (ANIACAM). January 2015. Archived fromthe original on 3 September 2015. Retrieved4 January 2015.Download the file "DossierAutomóviles_diciembre14.xls (929KB)*" with current month and cumulative sales for year 2014.
^"Datos de Mercado: Diciembre 2013 – Matriculaciones de automóviles" [Market data: December 2013 – Automobiles registrations] (in Spanish). Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas (ANIACAM). January 2014. Archived fromthe original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved20 January 2014.Download the file "DossierAutomóviles_diciembre13.xls (929KB)" with current month and cumulative sales for 2013.
^"Datos de Mercado: Diciembre 2015 – Matriculaciones" [Market data: December 2015 – Registrations] (in Spanish). Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas (ANIACAM). January 2016. Archived fromthe original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved22 January 2015.Download the file "DossierAutomóviles_diciembre15.xls (929KB)*" with current month and cumulative sales for year 2015.
^Aschard, Justin (30 November 2012)."Inmatriculations VP et VUL Italie à fin Oct. 2012 (2010–2012)" [Registrations of passenger cars and utility vehicles in Italy through October 2012 (2010–2012)](PDF) (in French). France Mobilité Électrique. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 3 November 2013. Retrieved19 April 2013.
^Pontes, Jose (12 January 2015)."Italy December 2014". EVSales.com. Retrieved5 February 2015.
^"Statistik – Nyregistreringstal – Personbiler – Pr.model: januar – juni 2015" [Statistics – Passenger cars by model: January – June 2015] (in Danish). De Danske Bilimportører. January 2016. Archived fromthe original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved22 January 2016.Select januar – december 2015" and "2014/2013/2012/2011 – Hele året" for the corresponding year and click on "Pr. model" for details of sales by brand and model.
^Aschard, Justin (30 November 2012)."Inmatriculations VP et VUL Belux à fin Oct. 2012 (2010–2012)" [Registrations of passenger cars and utility vehicles in Belux (Belgium and Luxembourg) through October 2012 (2010–2012)](PDF) (in French). France Mobilité Électrique. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 21 February 2014. Retrieved12 December 2012.
^Vereinigung Schweizer Automobil-Importeure."Autoverkäufe nach Modellen – Modellstatistik" [Passenger cars by model – Statistics by model] (in German). Auto Schweiz Suisse. Archived fromthe original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved23 January 2016.Under "Modellstatistik Januar – Dezember 2015" download the xls file "ModellePW2015" for 2015 sales, and under "Modellstatistiken 2009–2014" click "2014 Statistik" to download the file "ModellePW2014" with sales by model for 2014. Click the tabs "2013 Statistik," "2012 Statistik" and "2011 Statistik" to download the files with 2013, 2012 and 2011 sales by model.
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