Introduction
The Nissan Leaf is an innovative battery-electric compact car. Leaf stands for "leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car," and by leading the charge as the world’s first series-produced battery electric automobile, it leaves its mark sustainably.
First introduced in 2010, the Nissan Leaf was produced as a five-door hatchback until 2017. Now in its second generation of production, the new 2025 Nissan Leaf models are available, as rumors circulate that these oldest battery-electric vehicles might cease production and become extinct.
If you are in the market for an all-battery electric vehicle, here’s a buying guide on the Nissan Leaf from 2010 to the present, covering two generations of production.
Key Takeaways
- The Nissan Leaf is the oldest battery-electric vehicle, first introduced in 2010.
- The first generation Nissan Leaf had a range of 58 miles on a fully charged battery.
- The second-generation Nissan Leaf has an improved battery pack and a driving range that increased by almost 100 miles.
First Generation Nissan Leaf (2010-2017)
The first-generation Nissan Leaf was introduced as a 2010 model, marking Nissan's effort to revitalize the electric vehicle market. It boasted impressive fuel efficiency, achieving an average of 82 MPGe and a range of 58 miles on a fully charged battery, all while promising zero emissions. Additionally, the first-generation Leaf came equipped with navigation features, qualified for a federal tax credit, and offered the prestige of being an early adopter of electric vehicles.
This Generation Nissan Leaf (2017- Present)
The second-generation Nissan Leaf has been improved and now has a 40 kWh battery pack that gets an estimated EPA-rated driving range of over 150 miles on a fully charged battery, which is quite the jump from the original model in 2010.
Leaf Leads the Battery Charge
The Nissan Leaf is the oldest electric battery vehicle on the market. For 2024 models, you can take advantage of electric car federal tax benefits (based on eligibility).
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