Nissan Leaf to be phased out: Report

THE Nissan Leaf will be phased out by mid-2025, reports claim, amid speculation about whether the car-marker will launch a new variant of the all-electric small hatch. 

Nissan Australia, fresh from celebrating 10 years of the leaf Australian roads, declined to comment when asked about the reports – an update to the second-generation Leaf is due to reach these shores in the coming months. 

The Leaf launched globally in 2010, a pioneering model at that point, before launching it in Australia in 2012.

Despite its long runtime and being one of the first mass-produced, relatively affordable, entry-level EV options, it never saw huge success in this market.

Around 600,000 Leafs were sold worldwide, with more than 2,000 of those being sold in Australia since 2012.

By comparison, Tesla has sold more than 4400 Model 3 sedans in Australia during the first half of 2022 alone.

Nissan Australia claims the national Leaf fleet has collectively travelled around 58.5 million kilometres, with the 2023 model due here in August to increase that number further.

The MY23 Leaf will be priced from $50,990 plus on-road costs, around $1,000 more than the previous model, but will come with Nissan’s latest branding, a revised nose styling, a striking new wheel design and additional technology including a digital rearview mirror, auto-levelling LED headlights, LED rear lights, LED daytime running lights and exterior sound projection to alert pedestrians of its otherwise silent approach.

Driving range for the MY23 model will remain at 270km for the entry-level model, with the Leaf e+ offering 385km of range and a price starting at $61,490 before on-roads.

Reports of Nissan’s plans to scrap the Leaf started with industry journal Automotive News, where it was also stated Nissan plans to replace the model with one more ‘tuned to the needs of the modern EV buyer’.

Nissan, however, is serious about electrification and aims to make half of sales electric or hybrid by the end of the decade.

Last year Nissan announced plans to invest two trillion yen ($A21m) over five years, to electrify much of its fleet and develop 15 new electric models. 

“As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to grow, Nissan is pursuing an exhilarating chapter in its electric mobility story,” said Nissan AMIEO region vice president of product, strategy and pricing Arnaud Charpentier earlier this year.

“Leaf has played a key role in shaping Nissan’s vision for empowering mobility and beyond, as we leverage our EV expertise to launch 23 new electrified models – including 15 full EVs – by fiscal year 2030.”