The Nissan Leaf is one compact electric hatchback (Japanese: 日産・リーフ, Hepburn: Nissan Rīfu), stylized as LEAF, is a compact five-door hatchback battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufactured by Nissan. “LEAF” is a backronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable Family cars.
It was introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010 and is currently in its second generation, introduced in October 2017. The Leaf’s range on a full charge has been increased gradually from 117 km (73 miles) to 364 km (226 miles) (EPA rated) due to the use of a larger battery pack along with several minor improvements.
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s official range for the 2013 model year Leaf is and rated the Leaf’s combined fuel economy at 115 miles per US gallon gasoline equivalent.
The 2013 Leaf has a range of New European Driving Cycles.
Deliveries to retail customers began in the United States and Japan in December 2010, followed by various European countries and Canada in 2011, and are available in 35 countries.
The Leaf is the world’s best-selling highway-capable all-electric car ever, with global sales of over 158,000 units through December 2014. The United States is the leading market, with 72,322 units sold, followed by Japan with 48,641 sales, and Europe with 33,481 units.
Norway leads the European market with over 12,000 new units, and the UK with about 7,200 units delivered. As an all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf produces no tailpipe pollution or greenhouse gas emissions at the point of operation and contributes to reduced dependence on petroleum.
Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011–2012 Car of the Year Japan.
