Nissan has unveiled the 2024 Nissan LEAF, available for purchase immediately, with a starting price under $30,000, positioning it as an attractive option in the burgeoning US electric vehicle market. Despite this, Nissan has yet to replace the outdated and inferior CHAdeMO charging plug, a move that should have been made years ago.
After introducing the LEAF in 2010 as the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle, Nissan’s compact EV quickly gained popularity and became the best-selling electric car globally in 2018, a position it held until Tesla’s Model 3 surpassed it in early 2020.
Since then, however, nearly every major automaker has introduced its own range of all-electric vehicles, equipped with advanced technology and boasting longer driving distances in many instances. Throughout its history, Nissan has released several updates featuring incremental changes and subtle model refinements.
Nissan’s 2022 LEAF lineup received a refresh for its twelfth year on the market, boasting updated alloy wheels, rebranded badges, and an expanded palette of exterior hues; however, the most significant opportunity for enhancement went largely unaddressed.
Despite efforts to modernize, Nissan still lingers with the outdated CHAdeMO charging system, a relic that remains cumbersome and difficult to find compared to the widely adopted CCS port.
Despite moving forward with its electrification strategy, Nissan has surprisingly retained the outdated charging plug in the 2024 LEAF, now available for purchase.
The all-electric 2024 Nissan LEAF boasts an impressive range of up to 226 miles on a single charge, making it the perfect commuter car for city dwellers. This compact crossover also features advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning, providing peace of mind on the road.
Starting at just $29,990, the LEAF is an affordable option for those looking to ditch their gas-guzzling habits. Plus, with a maximum cargo capacity of 17.1 cubic feet, there’s plenty of room for all your gear.
When it comes to performance, the LEAF has got it down pat. With two electric motor options and a single-speed transmission, this car can hit 0-60 in just 7.4 seconds – that’s quick!
The all-new 2024 Nissan LEAF boasts an entry-level Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,140, a mere $100 increase from the preceding year’s model. The additional $1,095 destination and handling fee brings the total to $29,235.
Nissan’s LEAF has received an additional refresh for its 2023 model year, featuring a redesigned grille pattern and updated front bumper trim. The compact electric vehicle also saw the introduction of fresh headlight designs and other subtle updates, yet again, charging capabilities remained unchanged. Here’s the lowdown on the 2024 model.
149 miles | 40 kWh | 147hp / 236 lb-ft of torque |
$29,235 | |
212 miles | 60 kWh | 214hp / 250 lb-ft of torque |
$37,285 |
With a starting price of around $29,990 for the base model S trim, the 2024 Nissan LEAF is an affordable choice for eco-conscious car shoppers. The LEAF Plus starts at about $36,490 and boasts an impressive range of up to 226 miles on a single charge.
As for specs:
* Range: Up to 149 miles (S), up to 226 miles (Plus)
* Electric Motor Power: 147 horsepower
* Top Speed: 96 mph (S), 95 mph (Plus)
* Charging Time: 4.5 hours (240V Level 2), 8 hours (120V Level 1)
* Cargo Space: 18.0 cubic feet
The 2024 model year will offer two distinct variations: the LEAF S and the more premium SV PLUS. Equipped with a 40-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, the LEAF S boasts an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated range of up to 149 miles.
The Leaf SV Plus leverages a 60 kWh battery to deliver an estimated range of up to 212 miles on a single charge. Each fashion will feature Nissan Safety Shield 360, which comes standard with six proactive driver-assist technologies.
Meanwhile, recharging the LEAF S takes approximately 40 minutes to reach 80% capacity, while the SV PLUS model requires about an hour.
Under Nissan’s Ambition 2030 strategy, the company aims to have a staggering 40% of its US revenue derived from fully electric vehicles by 2030.
Electrek’s Take
The Leaf has played a crucial role in Nissan’s shift towards sustainable mobility, but it is now overdue for an update. While CHAdeMO’s limitations may have contributed to sluggish Leaf sales, it is unlikely that minor design tweaks will be enough to drive a significant turnaround given the current market dynamics.
Nissan is poised to make a bold statement with its second electric vehicle, the Ariya all-electric SUV, which debuted in the US market late last year.
The 2023 Aria EV starts at $43,190, offering up to 304 miles of range on a single charge with its 87-kWh battery pack. Nissan has indeed adopted the use of CSS connector plugs.