Nissan LEAF: ten successes for ten years of electric mobility

Nissan celebrates ten years of LEAF, the first 100% electric vehicle for the mass market, which has contributed to the development and growth of the zero-emission mobility market

Electric vehicle sales in Europe accelerated sharply between July and September 2020 with registrations increasing by 132% year-on-year. IS Nissan LEAF responds to the new and greater requests for electric vehicles from customers with increasingly advanced technologies and performances.

After more than ten years of know-how and innovation, Nissan retraces the journey made by Nissan LEAF with a handbook of successes of the model that in 2010 redefined the canons of electric mobility. Nissan LEAF’s innovative approach to zero-emission mobility has enabled customers, cities and governments to make real investments in a more sustainable future.

Nissan LEAF: ten successes for ten years of electric mobility

Helen Perry, Head of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, said:

Nissan LEAF’s transformation journey over the past decade represents the true spirit of innovation and progress that drives Nissan’s electric vehicle development. Customers continue to choose LEAF both for the agile and snappy driving experience, and for cutting-edge on-board technologies such as e-Pedal. The perfect combination of performance and sustainability.

LEAF is a record-breaking sedan. In addition to being the first electric vehicle destined for the mass market, LEAF boasts many unprecedented achievements in its history. In 2011, it was the first electric vehicle in the world to win the title of European Car of the Year (in the 47-year history of the award).

Giant leaps for LEAF’s battery capacity, range and power. LEAF’s battery capacity and range are increased by 160% and 120% respectively, ii giving customers a greater sense of safety and reliability. Today LEAF counts on more than doubled power, compared to the beginnings with a significant improvement in the electric driving experience.

LEAF is a concentrate of new technologies. LEAF has introduced cutting-edge technologies that have enabled motorists to optimize efficiency. These include the innovative e-Pedal system, which allows you to drive with a single pedal, regenerative braking and the ECO driving mode. LEAF pioneered the future of Nissan’s electric vehicles, today represented by the new 100% electric Nissan Ariya crossover coupe.

With Nissan, the public charging network grows rapidly. The number of public charging points in Europe has increased considerably since the launch of LEAF, from 2,379 in 2011 to 213,367 todayiii. Nissan has contributed to the development of the infrastructure across Europe, having collaborated in the expansion of 20 of the main charging “corridors” in the region.

LEAF’s customers are satisfied. 92% of LEAF owners in Europe recommend the purchase of an electric vehicle to friends and family.iv Thanks to the qualified support of Nissan and its dealers, customers continue to be satisfied with their choice of LEAF.

After LEAF, customers choose to stay on electric. Confirming this deep sense of satisfaction with the electric driving experience, 74% of LEAF owners say they will most likely purchase a zero-emission vehicle again.

Electric mobility creates new services for customers. The customer service offering has evolved together with LEAF, introducing important innovations such as the Nissan Charge app, which allows owners of electric vehicles to check in real time the costs of charging and the availability of charging stations, including those of Nissan dealerships.

Efficiency is in the DNA of LEAF. Electric cars like Nissan LEAF are extremely efficient. From production to the end of life of the product, electric vehicles save 80% of CO2 compared to traditional vehicles. And the development of the latest technologies and design contributes to the continuous improvement of sustainability levels, for a cleaner future.

LEAF’s batteries have more lives. Electric vehicle batteries can be recycled and reused. In 2018, 148 second-life batteries were used to create the largest energy storage system in the world at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.

LEAF’s batteries are safe and reliable. LEAF’s 180,000 batteries sold in Europe since 2010 have proven extremely durable with no critical anomalies reported to Nissan. LEAF’s batteries are backed by an industry-leading 8-year / 160,000km warranty – with a very limited number of warranty replacements.

Nissan LEAF: ten successes for ten years of electric mobility