Nissan Australia has significantly reduced the price of its sole electric vehicle, the Leaf hatchback, offering substantial discounts of up to $21,000. This price drop comes as the current generation Leaf prepares to exit the market, with a successor expected to arrive within the next year.
The 2024 Nissan Leaf, currently available at a nationwide drive-away price of $34,990, represents a significant reduction from its original recommended retail price (RRP) of $50,990. This translates to a substantial saving of up to $21,000 compared to the typical on-road costs, which typically range from $53,000 to $56,000 depending on the state or territory. The discounted price applies to the standard-range Leaf equipped with a 39kWh lithium-ion battery, offering a WLTP-rated driving range of 270 kilometers.
The higher-spec Leaf E+, featuring a 49kWh battery and a 385km range, is also available at a significantly reduced price of $44,990 drive-away, down from its original RRP of $61,490. This translates to a potential saving of up to $23,000 compared to the typical on-road costs.
These aggressive price cuts position the Leaf as one of the most affordable electric vehicles currently available in the Australian market. It now shares the title of second-cheapest electric car with the MG 4 Excite 51 hatch, both priced at $34,990 drive-away. Only the GWM Ora Standard Range, priced at $33,990 drive-away for private buyers and $32,990 for business buyers, undercuts the Leaf in terms of affordability.
The Leaf's price reduction follows a trend of significant discounts offered throughout 2024. Earlier in the year, Nissan offered a limited-time deal, pricing the standard-range Leaf at $39,990 drive-away and the Leaf E+ at $49,990 drive-away.
It's important to note that the Leaf is one of the oldest electric vehicles currently available in the Australian market. The current generation, launched in 2017, utilizes underpinnings dating back to the original 2010 model. Some of its features, such as the older CHAdeMO charging plug and the lack of active liquid cooling for the battery, may be considered outdated compared to newer electric vehicles.
The production of the Leaf at Nissan's Sunderland factory in England, which also manufactures the Juke and Qashqai, has ceased at the beginning of 2024. Consequently, the Leaf models currently available in Australian dealerships are likely to be older stock, potentially over 12 months old.
Sales figures reveal that the Leaf's market share has been declining. In 2024, Nissan delivered only 357 Leaf vehicles in Australia, a 26% decrease compared to the 484 units sold in 2023. This decline can be attributed to the increasing competition from newer and more technologically advanced electric vehicles, such as the MG 4, BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, and Cupra Born, which have collectively outsold the Leaf by a significant margin.
Nissan is preparing to launch a new generation of the Leaf later this year. This upcoming model is expected to incorporate modern electric vehicle technologies, drawing inspiration from the Ariya SUV, which is also scheduled for an Australian launch in the latter half of the year, pending any further delays. The new Leaf is anticipated to address some of the shortcomings of the current model, such as its outdated technology, and better compete in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.