The ,000 Nissan Leaf Is Now the Cheapest New Electric Car in America Thanks to Incentives, But Maybe Don’t Buy One

The $25,000 Nissan Leaf Is Now the Cheapest New Electric Car in America Thanks to Incentives, But Maybe Don’t Buy One


With the Chevrolet Bolt taking a break, the Nissan Leaf is now America’s cheapest EV. Not only does it start at $29,280 including freight, it also qualifies for a $3,750 federal tax credit, bringing the price down to $25,530. Yes, that’s a brand new electric car for about $25,000, but before you rush to your local Nissan dealership, the Leaf comes with a lot of caveats you should know about.

Splashing the cash on the cheapest new Nissan Leaf only gets you 149 miles of EPA-rated range. That’s 110 fewer miles than the Bolt EV managed, and a significant limitation when it comes to weekend road trips. The Leaf will work well as an everyday city car, but if you’re a geek, it might not be able to handle your weekend.

Vidframe Min Low

Then there is the fact that Jani is old. The second generation model came out for the 2018 model year, and not only was it six years ago, it was also not a good time for Nissan from a product perspective. As a result, some interior pieces feel older than they are, from the litany of panel inserts to the economy-era shifter somewhere below the infotainment screen. The result is a strange mix of things that work well in a modern context and things that look old, but in an unattractive way. However, that is a minor quibble. The Leaf actually has three major issues that you need to consider before signing on the dotted line.

2023 Nissan Leaf 21 Source

The first is that the Leaf’s CHAdeMO connector prevents super-fast charging. Not only has the charging rate reached 50 kW, a litany of stations do not offer CHAdeMO connectors, and different electronic protocols currently prevent CHAdeMO-equipped vehicles from connecting to Tesla Supercharger stations, so don’t expect adapters and software distribution. soon.

CHAdeMO port on the left

The base Leaf’s battery pack is still not liquid cooled. So, fuel management shortcomings can lead to rapid battery degradation, and while it’s unlikely you’ll run out of range before you get to the office like David nearly did with his first-generation Leaf, it’s something that stays behind. of the mind. If you’re okay with a small chance of being on a very short leash in a decade, the Leaf is fine, but most cars are still expected to retain like-new performance after ten years of ownership, anyone looking to keep a Leaf for a long time will be disappointed.

2023 Nissan Leaf 19 Source

Finally, the biggest reason not to buy a new Leaf on the cheap is because used ones are so cheap, and if bought from a dealer, they can qualify for a $4,000 tax credit. For example, here’s a pre-owned certified 2020 Leaf SV with less than 30,000 miles on the clock for sale at a Nissan dealership in Glendale, Calif. for $16,800. Once the $4,000 used EV tax credit is applied, that price drops to $12,800. What would you do with five figures in your pocket?

2023 Nissan Leaf 37 Source

Let’s face it, America isn’t doing well when it comes to affordable new EVs. Compared to Europe, where the Peugeot e-208 with 248 miles of WLTP range starts at £31,200 including VAT, or China where a litany of affordable EVs are available, there is a missing market segment that would cater to the younger, more enthusiast demographic. EVs, put more electric cars on the road. Leaf doesn’t turn on that way, so we’re waiting for the manufacturer to do that. Who will it be?

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