A Guide to the Nissan Leaf

Since its initial release in 2010, the groundbreaking Nissan Leaf has taken home the world title of car of the year twice and become the world’s best-selling electric vehicle*, with more than 400,000 units sold globally. 

It’s no surprise then that it has become a favourite for Australian car enthusiasts and a popular car import. 

An early entrant onto the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles Scheme (SEVs) registrar for vehicles eligible to be imported into Australia, the Nissan Leaf has long been a top choice for those looking for a robust and capable electric vehicle and its set to become even more popular with the rise in infrastructure to support EVs in the country. 

If you’re considering importing a Nissan Leaf then check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about it.  

The Nissan Leaf

One of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market, the Nissan Leaf is a powerhouse with some impressive specs that make it more than up to the task of navigating both open roads and inner-city streets. 

Here’s the 2016-2017 model at a glance (currently in stock):

30 kwh 172 km   28 min

Lithium-Ion Battery Driving range* Fast charge (17>136 km)

*EPA estimate

The Nissan Leaf has continued to improve on its design since it first came to market, with the 2016 models and beyond presenting buyers with an enhanced and more user-friendly experience. This particular model represents an increase of 25% on battery capacity for the previous model (a trend which has been carried forward into the latest models). 

The vehicle offers a number of charging options, including front body type 1 charge port, which means it can be plugged into any standard electrical socket and charged within 10 hours – perfect for plugging in at home to charge overnight, ready to begin the week with a full 172 km driving range.

It also comes with a CHAdeMo fast charger, which can achieve an 80% charge in under 30 minutes and on G models, a solar panel spoiler for 12 v charging.

The plethora of charging options and improved availability of public charging points make the Nissan Leaf a more attractive option than ever before. Electric cars are quickly becoming just as, if not more convenient than traditional combustion engine vehicles, and far more cost effective.

You’ll discover that there are significant cost savings involved with charging a car, versus filling it up due to the lower cost of electricity when compared to fuel.

Additionally, the purchase cost of electric cars is less of an obstacle than ever – a fact that applies to the Nissan Leaf more so than many other models.

Since its first release it has been praised for its incredible affordability, it is one of the most accessibly priced electric cars on the market. 

Driving ranges have also improved since the 2010 release, and the Nissan Leaf is now more than capable of handling longer drives – an important factor to consider for Australian drivers who face long distances.

They’re certainly more than sufficient for managing most daily commutes, with the average driver likely only requiring a recharge once or twice a week. 

Designed for optimal weight distribution, the Nissan Leaf features an elegant and well-thought out design which allows for easy handling and comfortable five-passenger seating. 

You can expect features like the NissanConnect Mobile Apps system and the Bluetooth Hands-free system for easy music streaming and hand-free texting, as well as voice recognition for an enjoyable driver experience. 

There’s little doubt that the Nissan Leaf is one of the best electric cars on the market, so if you’re looking to find one for yourself, then check out our stock list for currently available models, or talk to us about importing a high quality Nissan Leaf to fit your exact specifications.