Nissan is saying goodbye to the little EV that began all of it. Though Nissan is phasing out the LEAF electrical automobile, the automaker plans to start producing its successor in 2026.

Past the LEAF, Nissan plans for EV successor

The Nissan LEAF was, at one time, a top-selling electrical car. After releasing the electrical compact automobile in 2010, the LEAF rapidly turned a favourite as the primary mass-market EV (18 months earlier than the Tesla Mannequin S) within the US, with a snug inside and respectable vary at a horny value.

Nonetheless, practically each automaker, from startups to legacy, has launched its personal electrical vehicles with extra superior options, enhanced designs, and longer ranges over the previous decade.

The LEAF has misplaced floor, with gross sales falling constantly for a number of years. In line with a report from Automotive Information final 12 months, Nissan won’t be rolling out a next-generation LEAF mannequin.

As a substitute, Nissan is planning for a extra fashionable EV to interchange the LEAF, designed for right now’s consumers. Though Nissan launched its second mass-market EV, the Ariya, it was by no means deliberate as a alternative.

Nissan could substitute the LEAF with a coupe-like crossover just like the “Chill-Out” idea the automaker revealed in 2021, with its “modern and fashionable” design. The manufacturing model would seemingly look much less futuristic.

In the meantime, executives had been break up on carrying the LEAF title over. As AutoPacific president Ed Kim explains, “As we speak, the LEAF means little to EV consumers.”

In line with a brand new report from Autocar, Nissan mentioned in its submission to the UK authorities committee on battery manufacturing that “the LEAF successor will enter manufacturing in 2026.” Nissan’s Sunderland manufacturing facility within the UK will start manufacturing on Nissan’s LEAF successor in 2026 because it prepares for almost all of its output to be EVs by 2028.

Nissan is claimed to be leveraging provide from its upcoming close by battery manufacturing facility in collaboration with Envision AESC.

By 2024, the plant could have 11 GWh of capability, which might broaden to 30 GWh, in response to Nissan’s submission. Envision mentioned the “Gen 5” battery cells being equipped would improve vitality density by 30% over the present LEAF mannequin.

The LEAF successor will reportedly be primarily based on its CMF-EV platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, the identical used for the Nissan Ariya.

Electrek’s Take

From the sounds of it, Nissan goes greater with the LEAF successor. With the recognition of bigger fashions, like electrical crossovers and SUVs, automakers are racing to introduce larger-sized EVs regardless of the necessity for effectivity.

GM can be phasing out its smallest and most reasonably priced EV, the Bolt EV and EUV. Though GM and Nissan are phasing the fashions out for various causes (GM is shifting to an all-Ultium-based lineup), it would go away the market with a evident lack of low cost, small EVs.

Given the necessity for smaller, extra environment friendly fashions, it will likely be a bit disappointing if Nissan extends the dimensions of the LEAF’s alternative.