01-01-0001:
Complaint of wear to outside edges of all four tyres on a 2014 Nissan leaf Tekna. A four wheel alignment check resulted in a small adjustment on the front, but the rear camber on the nearside is out of spec and the toe on the rear offside is also out of spec. The rear is non adjustable and the Nissan dealer suggests the car has been down a pothole which has affected the rear suspension although there is no visible sign off damage and the tyre wear is down to normal wear and tear. Apparently this is a common issue on Nissan Leaf Teknas.
10-08-2018:
Report from reader who wanted to go green, yet needed a car capable of 25,000 miles a year and was assured that the Leaf was. In practice, he writes, "it is a brilliant car and fun to drive, but it really is not practical. I was led to believe that there was an extensive network of fast charging points which would enable me to keep the car charged and this is not the case. If I want to travel from my home in Huntingdon to Norwich and back in a day it is virtually impossible without very long diversions. Consequently I contacted Nissan to ask them if it was possible to reduce my mileage contract and they have told me that this is not possible."
31-01-2019:
Report of seriously depleted battery capacity in 2012 Nissan Leaf.
18-02-2019:
Report of quotation of £7800 for replacement battery for a 2010-2018 Nissan Leaf. Seems overpriced for a 30kWh battery that, on the basis of £180 inc VAT per kWh should be about £5,400 inc.
15-04-2019:
Reader report of used 2014 Nissan Leaf, bought at just 3 months old. Range supposed to be 124 miles. Reader got 100, "which was really 80". Now 5 years old, dash says 80 on a full charge but only goes 60 miles.
15-04-2019:
Report of plug-in switch for Nissan Leaf failing and costing a lot to replace.
30-08-2019:
Report of serious degradation of 24kWh battery of a 2014/64 Nissan Leaf at 28,600 miles. "1st battery marker has gone, but battery will no longer a) charge to the original level b) only lasts about 35 miles." Owner getting no help from dealer.
August 2009
Nissan Leaf revealed
Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, the Leaf is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 100 miles. Additionally, the Nissan Leaf will qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world.
The Leaf is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm. This ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional, gasoline-powered automobiles.
Unlike internal-combustion engine vehicles, the Nissan Leaf’s power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. A combination of regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs enables the car to deliver a driving range of more than 100 miles on one full charge. Extensive consumer research demonstrates that this range satisfies the daily driving requirements of more than 70% of the world’s consumers who drive cars.
The Leaf can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger. Charging at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours – ample time to enable an overnight refresh for consumer and car alike. The styling is characterised by a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting LED headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design. They are also designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps.
It uses an advanced IT system which is connected to a global data centre and can provide support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day. The dash-mounted monitor displays the remaining power – or “reachable area” – in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging stations. Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on air-conditioning and set charging functions – even when the car is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre-programmed to recharge batteries.
September 2010
Nissan Leaf goes on sale
Deliveries start in March 2011 priced at £23,990 (including £5,000 government incentive).
Depending on an individual’s electricity tariff and time of charging, it will be possible to run the Leaf for less than 2pence per mile. Additional financial benefits include reduced servicing costs, exemption from London’s congestion charge, zero vehicle tax and zero benefit in kind for company car drivers.
Available in five exterior colours and one high-specification trim level, all models will come with air conditioning, satellite navigation and a parking camera as standard, plus smartphone connectivity that enables owners to check charging levels plus heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via their handset.
The car’s AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of more than 90mph and it can travel up to 100 miles on a full charge. Research indicates that the average daily mileage for 80 percent of the UK population is less than 30 miles.
February 2013
Nissan announced updates for the Leaf
The new car will be built at the Nissan Sunderland from Spring 2013. Key tweaks include improved maximum range, up to 124 miles from the outgoing model’s 109. Luggage space has been improved, too, thanks to a repositioned charging socket.
Additionally it’s possible to charge the car twice as quickly – in four hours – by use of a more powerful 6.6Kw charger. With the cars production now based in Sunderland, the chassis has been re-engineered to better suit the rougher, more twisting roads of Europe.
Some more minor but still useful tweaks have been made, too – like the addition of an LED near the charging port, making it easier to see where to plug connectors in at night. The heater has been improved too, to reduce drain on the battery in cold weather.
Unlike previously, the new Leaf will be offered in three trim levels, familiar from other Nissan models – Visia, Acenta and Tekna. These will allow buyers to customise their car more than before, depending on what level of technology they want.
Updated Nissan Leaf on sale from mid-2013 and, thanks to the new trim levels, should have a lower entry price of somewhere around £20,000 including the £5,000 government grant.
July 2015
Leaf Acenta+ introduced
The new Acenta+ sits between the Acenta and range-topping Tekna model and enjoys a significant specification boost over the standard model.The Acenta+ is equipped with a 6.6kW on-board charger as standard, along with a Mode-3 32amp (EVSE) cable. Previously available only as an option, the 6.6kW charger allows owners to perform a 0-100% charge in just four hours.
Acenta+ models also look the part thanks to the addition of striking new 17-inch Autech wheels. Finished with distinctive blue accents on the offset spokes, they give the newest member of the LEAF family an even bolder appearance. Despite the Acenta+’s additional equipment count, buyers can snap one up for just £29,740– just £1,150 more than the standard Acenta. With the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant applied, the price falls to just £24,740.
September 2015
Nissan Leaf single charge range extended to 155 miles
Thanks to new 30kWh battery model, a vailable on Acenta and Tekna trim grades, the Leaf can now travel up to 155 miles on a single charge.
The 30kWh battery has exactly the same exterior dimensions as existing 24kWh unit and only a modest 21 kg increase in weight. Nissan is so confident about the performance and reliability of the new 30kWh battery that the capacity will be covered by an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty.
Recharging the LEAF’s new 30kWh battery is as easy and stress-free as it is with the current 24kWh unit. Just as with the current LEAF, customers will be able to recharge from their homes, from public chargers, or from the network of rapid chargers (3 phase, 400V) expanding across European – the best EV network available. In the UK there are approximately 500 LEAF-compatible rapid chargers, covering more than 95% of the UK’s motorway network.
The LEAF 30 kWh also introduces a number of subtle exterior design changes – including a new roof-mounted aerial along with the availability of a new colour – Bronze.
Sales of the 2016 model year Nissan LEAF 30kW in the UK from December 2015. Priced from £24,490 for the Acenta trim, the LEAF 30kW is available for just £1,600 more than the equivalent LEAF with a 24kW battery.
Grade |
Options |
Battery |
OTR with PiCG** |
Acenta |
|
MY16 - 30kWh |
£24,490 |
Acenta |
Solar cell |
MY16 - 30kWh |
£24,790 |
Acenta |
6kW charger |
MY16 - 30kWh |
£25,640 |
Acenta |
6kW charger + Solar Cell |
MY16 - 30kWh |
£25,940 |
|
|
|
|
Tekna |
|
MY16 - 30kWh |
£26,490 |
Tekna |
Solar cell |
MY16 - 30kWh |
£26,790 |
Tekna |
6kW charger |
MY16 - 30kWh |
£27,640 |
Tekna |
6kW charger +Solar cell |
MY16 - 30kWh |
£27,940 |
|
|
|
|
Visia |
|
MY16 - 24kWh |
£20,790 |
Visia |
6kW charger |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£21,940 |
|
|
|
|
Acenta |
|
MY16 - 24kWh |
£22,890 |
Acenta |
Solar cell |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£23,190 |
Acenta |
6kW charger |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£24,040 |
Acenta |
6kW charger + Solar Cell |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£24,340 |
|
|
|
|
Tekna |
|
MY16 - 24kWh |
£24,890 |
Tekna |
Solar cell |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£25,190 |
Tekna |
6kW charger |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£26,040 |
Tekna |
6kW charger +Solar cell |
MY16 - 24kWh |
£26,340 |
March 2017
Nissan Leaf Black Edition launched
Priced from £26,890 including the £4,500 government plug-in vehicle grant.
Based on the Acenta grade, the Nissan Leaf Black Edition gets 16-inch black alloy wheels, LED headlamps, black door mirror caps and black rear roof spoiler. In addition, the Black Edition is completed with blue-stitched mats to give the interior a premium finish.