The little electric car from Nissan will be discontinued “before mid-decade,” according to trade publication Automotive News on Thursday.
Why it matters: Early models like the Leaf failed to gain traction, despite the fact that electric vehicles are largely seen as the future of the auto industry (hello Tesla).
Rewind: The Leaf soon overtook all other EVs after making its debut in 2011.
- Of the 977,639 automobiles Nissan sold in the U.S. in 2021, just 14,239 copies of the Leaf were sold there.
- However, it quickly lost the top spot to Tesla and fell short of Carlos Ghosn’s goal of selling 500,000 vehicles annually by 2013.
Zoom out: The Leaf’s problems were caused by its short battery life and small size, with the 2011 model’s first iteration covering only 73 miles on a single charge.
- The range increased over time, but Nissan has subsequently focused mostly on upcoming EVs, such as the stylish Ariya crossover.
- The Leaf was victimized by shifting consumer demand for SUVs and pickups in the late 2010s as gas prices plummeted.
The Leaf is currently blowing in the wind, but EVs are far from being extinct.
In This Article...
The Nissan Leaf is being replaced by what?
The Nissan Leaf as we know it will soon be replaced by a brand-new crossover SUV after more than ten years on the market. The popular electric hatchback’s replacement will be equipped with the same technology as the company’s just-released Ariya electric SUV, and we’ve even had a sneak peek at how it will look.
The 2021 Nissan Chill Out concept car (shown above) is thought to be the design inspiration for the Leaf replacement. It has a roofline resembling a coupe, a slightly higher ride height, and a steeply angled tailgate comparable to the most recent Nissan Z sports vehicle. The production model, however, is also anticipated to include some Ariya-inspired design cues.
Will there be a Nissan Leaf in 2022?
There are currently five different models of the 2022 Nissan Leaf. The 40 kWh battery in the entry-level Leaf S has a meager range of 149 miles. This model has a starting price of $27,400, and it is this particular unit that, after applying the entire $7,500 tax credit, can be purchased for under $20,000.
The Leaf SL Plus represents the pinnacle of the Leaf line. With 215 miles on the tank, it doesn’t have the longest range in the fleet, but its $37,400 price tag does feature Bose speakers and some leather seats.
The S Plus or the SV Plus, both of which cost $32,400 and come with the 62 kWh battery and 226 miles of range, are the most likely choices for prospective purchasers. Despite having a somewhat lesser range of 215 miles, the vehicle costs an additional $35,400 and comes with 17 aluminum alloy wheels, an all-around camera system, LED headlights, ProPilot assist, and the optional Door to Door Navigation with Premium Traffic. Sadly, we were unable to test this final functionality.
It should be noted that the SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus models are the only ones with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist driver assistance technology.
Does the Leaf still get made?
According to a story from Automotive News on Thursday, the Nissan Leaf, the first mass-market EV from a significant automaker, will cease production by the middle of the next decade. Along with the Tesla Model S, the vehicle, which has been in production since 2010, was among the first electric vehicles to hit the market. The Leaf will be replaced with a car that is “better tailored to the needs of the modern EV buyer,” according to the AN story, which cites anonymous sources. Nissan declined to comment on the news to AN or make any predictions about what would happen to the Leaf, but it did leave the door open to the idea that it might come back as a result of “renewed enthusiasm” in the availability of EVs.
The Leaf is currently in the second generation, which debuted in 2018. Its initial iteration originally appeared on the market before the electrification trend had really taken off. It has regularly been one of the most affordable electric vehicles available for purchase in the United States, if not the most affordable. However, due to its old air-cooled battery, its already restricted range—226 miles in its longest-legged specto—can fluctuate a lot.
By the end of the decade, the Japanese manufacturer intends to introduce 15 new electric vehicles. The Ariya is the only other electric vehicle Nissan currently has scheduled in the popular crossover sector. The fact that the Leaf is a hatchback is likely a contributing factor to its limited time. For instance, Chevy took care to offer a raised EUV version of the hatch when it revealed its revised Bolt in order to satisfy this market trend. An unnamed former Nissan executive told AN that company didn’t have the resources to invest in the Leaf platform to enable such a thing to happen: You couldn’t say, “Hey, I need another billion bucks to upgrade the Leaf,” with a straight face.
Nissan has been contacted by us in an effort to learn more, but we have not yet received a response.
How much does a Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost?
Additionally, we created a comprehensive LEAF battery replacement tutorial. Although it has some of the same information, going a little deeper might be beneficial.
- A dealership in Canada reportedly gave a 2013 Nissan Leaf owner a quotation for a replacement battery of $15,000 CAD.
- Buyers of cash cars recorded in September 2020
- Price for a 40 kWh pack was at most $187.5/kWh and varied between $6,500 and $7,500.
- The Nissan Leaf 40 kWh battery costs $5,500, or roughly $137/kWh, which is right in line with the average pricing for 2020, according to a 2020 Greencars assessment.
- Price for a 30 kWh pack is at most $150/kWh and ranges from $3,500 to $4,500.
- It is anticipated that a 62 kWh battery pack will cost between $8,500 and $9,500, or at most $153/kWh.
What is the Nissan Leaf’s reliability?
Breakdown of the Nissan LEAF’s reliability rating. With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Nissan LEAF is ranked third among all alternative fuel vehicles. It has average ownership expenses since the cost of annual repairs is $748 on average.
How far can a 2022 Nissan Leaf travel?
The excellent power of the 2022 Nissan Leaf translates into an exceptional range. Two batteries are included to provide you with immediate acceleration and ecstasy. The typical 40kWh battery can travel up to 149 kilometers on a single charge and generates 147 horsepower. On the other side, the 62kWh battery that is readily available increases power. It has a 160kW motor that can produce 214 horsepower and propel the vehicle up to 226 kilometers on a single charge.
What issues does the Nissan LEAF have?
The Leaf has its share of issues, and we’ll go over the most prevalent ones in this post, just like any other car.
- loss of brake performance
- Unexpectedly Activated Brakes
- defective backup camera
- Airbag issues.
- Size of the battery.
- Competitive Minimum.
- Not All Public Charging Stations Are Compatible.
Can a Nissan LEAF be charged by a Tesla?
Tesla’s charging connector can only be used with a Tesla vehicle, especially if it is a Tesla Supercharger, so you cannot use a Tesla charger on a Nissan Leaf. Tesla is the only owner of its charger and is in charge of all aspects, including power delivery, payment, and control via the infotainment system of the vehicle.
How long does the battery in a Nissan LEAF last?
Depending on where you are and what you do, you’ll receive a specific timeline for your car. Extreme heat, frequent recharging (such as twice or three times a day), and city driving all hasten the battery’s depletion. The Nissan LEAF was designed to endure as much of these typical battery killers as possible, so you would have to be very rough on your car before you saw a significant change.
The Nissan LEAF was designed to travel up to 107 miles a day on a highway without recharging (depending on the model you choose.) You may travel up to 90 miles in even the busiest metropolitan traffic without having to worry about running out of juice. The battery will eventually lose power, but the amount of mileage you obtain will steadily decrease. The erosion will probably only have a minimal impact on you because the ordinary American will travel significantly less than the daily maximums. When you take care of your car, the Nissan LEAF battery should last between 8 and 10 years.
Can a Nissan LEAF be plugged into a standard outlet?
The normal 120V charging cable, which may be put into a regular AC outlet for a Level 1 charge, must be purchased by new Nissan LEAF owners. While it isn’t quick, Level 1 charging enables you to extend the range of your Nissan LEAF wherever there is a conventional wall outlet.
Is a tax credit available for the Nissan LEAF?
The tax credit varies depending on the size and battery capacity of your electric car and is available both at the state and federal levels. The potential federal tax credit for Nissan LEAF is $7,500. Will the electric vehicle tax credits expire? Yes.
Should I replace the oil in my Nissan LEAF?
No oil changes Nissan LEAF doesn’t have an internal combustion engine, thus it doesn’t require regular oil changes or maintenance with motor oil to keep it running smoothly.
How frequently should Nissan LEAF batteries be changed?
How frequently should a Nissan Leaf battery be changed? Every three to five years, however, you should have a battery test performed to check for voltage decreases and ensure that it is still performing at a high level.
How long does an electric car last?
Scientists will be able to gather more precise data on the lifespan of electric automobiles when more of them are put into service. Additionally, we can anticipate decreased production costs and batteries that last longer and recycle more effectively.
Your EV should last as least as long as a typical automobile, whether you purchase a new or old vehicle. And with the proper upkeep, you could be able to drive it for another 200,000 miles or more until it’s time to retire!