Nissan Leaf celebrates 10 years in Australia

Nissan's Leaf electric vehicle is celebrating 10 years on sale in Australia this month, ahead of the next-generation model arriving locally in August.

Available here since 2012, more than 2000 examples of the pioneering EV have found homes in Australia over the last decade – contributing to the 600,000 units shifted worldwide.

The second-generation Nissan Leaf is powered by a 40kWh battery pack capable of a rated 270 kilometres of driving range, with power and torque outputs of 110kW and 320Nm respectively all for the cost of $49,990 before on-roads.

And last year, Nissan added the e+ high-performance variant of its electric Leaf hatchback to its local lineup, wired with a more advanced 62kWh battery that bumps power up to 160kW, while torque rises to 340Nm and driving range to a claimed 385km.

But the higher-density battery adds $10,500 to the Leaf’s bottom line for a starting price of $60,490 before on-road costs, representing a 21 per cent increase over the standard version.

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“The Nissan Leaf was, and is, a pioneer in the electric vehicle space, and we’re proud both of its legacy, and of everything it has done to pave the way for EV acceptance and take-up in Australia,” said Nissan Australia's Managing Director, Adam Paterson.

Guillaume Cartier, Chairperson for Nissan in the AMIEO region, added: “For the past 10 years in Australia – and 12 years globally – the Nissan Leaf has pioneered the transition towards zero-emission mobility. When it arrived in 2010 there were many sceptics; fast forward to today and almost every automaker around the world has followed suit.

“I would personally like to congratulate the Nissan Australia team on 10 years at the forefront of electric vehicle adoption Down Under. This is only the beginning and I’m excited to see where the next 10 years takes us.”

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Australian presenter and Nissan ambassador Osher Günsberg, who has previously owned a first-generation Leaf in Los Angeles, and still drives one in Australia today, said:

“I have always loved the Nissan Leaf,” he said. “I had one of the earliest models when I was living in Los Angeles, and I used to love zipping past all those big, gas-guzzling cars and trucks.

“They were all keeping a close eye on their fuel gauges and stressing about petrol prices, while I was having fun trying to grow new digital trees on my dashboard by driving more efficiently.

“I loved the game-ified nature of it, I loved feeling good about driving, and I loved never having to visit a petrol station.

“The Leaf has come a long way since then, but it still delivers everything I loved about my first car, only with more power, more technology, and even more range.”

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The 2023 Nissan Leaf electric hatch will arrive in August this year, with the updated model going on sale for $1000 more than the current version.

Powertrains for the 2023 Nissan Leaf carry across from the outgoing model with the 110kW/320Nm base model boasting a driving range of 270 kilometres from its 40kWh lithium-ion battery, coming in at $50,990 before on-road costs.

The same price increase has been applied to the MY23 Leaf e+, now set to go on sale from $61,490 with its 160kW/340Nm electric motor and 62kWh battery pack delivering a driving range of 385km.

The updated Leaf will get a host of advanced driving and safety features such as ProPILOT, and infotainment tech such as an improved on-board NissanConnect system.

For MY23, the Leaf also receives a refreshed exterior design, including intricate detailing and new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel options for a more sporty and premium feel, and the model features Nissan’s new brand logo on the wheels, front grille and rear.