As Nissan marks the 10th anniversary of the LEAF, a car that pioneered mass-market EV driving for the world, Nissan GB is also celebrating its 40,000th LEAF sale, continuing its position as the UK’s best-selling electric car to date.
From its launch in 2010, the Nissan LEAF first appeared in UK dealerships in March 2011. It took four years to pass 10,000 sales (in 2015), another two years to pass 20,000 (in 2017) and the 40,000th sale milestone was achieved at the end of November 2020.
The UK has been one of Nissan’s fastest growing EV markets, responsible for over one in five LEAF sales in Europe. Production of LEAF has also been based at Nissan’s Sunderland plant since April 2013.
Now in its tenth year of sales, the LEAF is frequently recognised for its used credentials and has become the entry point to EV driving for thousands of motorists, with earlier examples representing a very accessible route to EV ownership.
In recognition of its position in the growing used EV market, the LEAF has been named ‘Used Electric Car of the Year’ in the DrivingElectric Awards 2021, a celebration of the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars on sale today.
Both generations, 2010-2017 and 2018-present, of LEAF were recognised with the award with the judges praising the model for its affordability and value for money.
Richard Ingram, Editor of Driving Electric, said: “The original Nissan LEAF was one of the first truly mainstream electric cars when it went on sale almost a decade ago. Fast forward to 2020 and there’s now a healthy supply of second-hand models on the market.
Fantastic value
“If you’re looking for an affordable route into pure-electric car ownership, you’ll struggle to do better than a LEAF. Spacious, cheap to run and fantastic value for money, the Nissan LEAF is a worthy winner of DrivingElectric’s 2021 Used Electric Car of the Year.”
Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, added: “We’re absolutely delighted the Nissan LEAF has been recognised yet again as the most accessible and reliable route to EV ownership for used car buyers.
“2020 has been a year of enormous challenges and seismic disruption to both society and the automotive industry. Yet out of this has come a greater awareness and keen interest in the benefits of zero-emission driving. We’re seeing unprecedented demand for both new and used LEAF models, as more consumers realise EV ownership is entirely suited to their lifestyles.
“The good news is we now have an EV for all customers, from under £5,000 for a 24kWh generation-one LEAF; £10,000 for a UK-built 2016 30kWh; right up to today’s line-up and either a range-topping 40kWh or 62kWh with attractive offers on personal finance.”
Production of the new MY20 LEAF started in November, which now includes a new entry-grade 62kWh model and lower ‘On the Road’ pricing for the range-topping Tekna e+.
Enhancements to both 40kWh and 62kWh versions include the introduction of an Intelligent Rearview Mirror on Tekna models, shark fin antenna as standard from N-Connecta, Blindspot Intervention on all grades, and the addition of telescopic adjustment on the steering wheel.
The current generation LEAF (40kWh) was named the ‘Best Used Electric Car’ in the Driving Electric 2020 Awards and earlier this year the Nissan LEAF 40kWh was also crowned ‘Used Electric Car of the Year’ in the What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards 2021.