The first generation of the Nissan Leaf was manufactured by Japanese automaker Nissan from 2010 to 2017. It is a compact car whose name is a backronym for "leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car". It is the first mass-marketed and series-produced battery electric vehicle and was offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback.

The Leaf—Nissan's second battery-electric automobile—debuted on 2 August 2009. It was succeeded by the second generation in 2017. Before official production commencement, Nissan developed three prototype battery electric vehicles—dubbed the EV-01, EV-02 and EV-11. The Leaf followed the unsuccessful Altra and began production in Japan on 22 October 2010. The Smyrna plant commenced manufacture of the Leaf on 13 December 2012, and the Sunderland plant followed on 27 March 2013. It was launched in Japan and the United States in December 2010, with subsequent introductions in several European countries and Canada in 2011.

Initially, the Leaf was available exclusively with a large battery pack composed of 192 flat, laminated lithium-ion cells developed in collaboration with NEC, which offers advantages such as simplified design, efficient cooling, and optimal packaging. The battery pack is located under the floor and between the wheels, optimising the vehicle's handling and interior space. The AC electric motor can be powered for up to when the battery is fully charged. Recharging can take 16 hours on 120V or 8 hours on 230V power. Fast charging is also available with a specific charger, which can restore 80% of the battery capacity in approximately 30 minutes.

The Leaf has garnered both acclaim and criticism from multiple automotive critics. Car and Driver, an American automotive magazine, expressed unfavourable opinions about the inexpensive materials used in the vehicle, asserting that they seem more fitting for a car priced at half its actual cost. However, they commended the Leaf for its spacious boot/trunk, along with features like standard heated seats and, in higher-end models, a heated steering wheel and leather seats. Opinions on the battery performance and safety aspects vary, with some finding the battery and range underwhelming and others expressing concerns about safety levels.

Development Nissan introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Altra, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997. The Altra EV was in production from 1998 to 2002, with a limited production of approximately 200 vehicles primarily used as fleet vehicles for companies such as electric utilities. During the same period, Nissan also developed the Nissan Hypermini, conducting a demonstration programme and selling a limited number to government and corporate fleets in Japan from 1999 to 2001. A small fleet of Hyperminis underwent field testing in various Californian cities between 2001 and 2005.

In 2009, Nissan unveiled the EV-11 prototype electric car, which was based on the Nissan Tiida hatchback. The prototype featured a substitution of the conventional gasoline engine with an all-electric system, comprising an / electric motor, a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with an estimated range of 175 km (109 miles) on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's LA-4 or "city" driving cycle. Noteworthy features included a navigation system and remote control and monitoring capabilities via a cellphone connection through Nissan's secure data centre to the car. The technology in the EV-11 had previously undergone development and testing in the EV-01 and EV-02 test cars, both equipped with an all-electric powertrain and using the Nissan Cube (Z11) as a development mule. The EV-11 prototype was publicly showcased on 26 July 2009. A week later, on 2 August 2009, Nissan unveiled the Leaf at its Yokohama headquarters and committed to initiating retail sales in both the North American market and Japan by the end of 2010.

Manufacture Nissan has an installed capacity to produce 250,000 Leafs per year; 150,000 at Smyrna, U.S., 50,000 at Oppama, Japan, and 50,000 at Sunderland, England.

Oppama, Japan The first vehicles sold in the U.S. were produced at Nissan's plant in Oppama, Japan, which started production on 22 October 2010. The plant has an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles. Production of the electric car faced disruption for several months starting in March 2011 due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Consequently, Nissan fell short of its 2011 production target of 50,000 Leafs. Anticipating a rebound in production and an expanded market presence, Nissan aimed to boost sales to 40,000 units in 2012, up from 20,000 in 2011. This strategy involved normalising production output and introducing the Leaf to additional European countries and regional markets in the U.S.

Despite cumulative sales exceeding 49,000 Leafs by December 2012, Nissan experienced only a 22% increase in sales during 2012, which Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn deemed "a disappointment for us." He attributed this to factors such as the adverse dollar-yen exchange rate affecting the Leaf's price. Recognising the pricing issues with the original Leaf models, Ghosn highlighted the decision to reduce the price of the 2013 model year Leaf by 18%. This reduction was made possible by the initiation of U.S. production of the electric car on a new assembly line in Smyrna, Tennessee, contributing to lowered production costs. Nissan has also implemented measures to enhance production efficiency and decrease component costs, with a particular focus on the battery pack—the most expensive component of the vehicle.

Smyrna, U.S. Commercial production in the United States commenced on 9 January 2013 at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee. The plant underwent modifications, supported by a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, enabling the production of the Nissan Leaf and its advanced batteries. The Smyrna plant was anticipated to manufacture up to 150,000 Leaf and 200,000 battery packs annually. Nissan initially planned to unveil the upgraded 2013 model year Nissan Leaf for the North American market in December 2012, but the introduction was rescheduled to January 2013 during the North American International Auto Show. The Smyrna plant began producing lithium-ion cells on 13 December 2012. These cells are utilised in the battery pack of the 2013 model year Leaf manufactured at the adjacent assembly plant. The cell fabrication factory in Smyrna that builds automotive-scale lithium-ion batteries can produce batteries for up to 200,000 electric vehicles a year.

Sunderland, United Kingdom Production of the Leaf at Nissan's Sunderland plant in England commenced on 28 March 2013. Nissan secured a grant from the British government and up to from the European Investment Bank. With a capacity to produce 60,000 lithium-ion batteries and 50,000 Leafs annually, the plant caters exclusively to the European market.

Safety

The 2011 and 2012 model years received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the 2013 and 2014 model years are rated four stars overall. The latter rating is attributed to lower scores in front and side tests for passengers.

The Nissan Leaf was awarded with the "Top Safety Pick" designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2011. The Leaf received top ratings of "Good" for front, side, and rear impact crash tests, and also on rollover protection. The injury measurements except one received a "Good" rating, indicating a relatively low risk of significant injuries in crashes based on the IIHS's severity scale. In 2012, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) conducted testing on a Nissan Leaf. The specific model subjected to the assessment was a , right-hand-drive, small family hatchback. Electronic stability control was included as standard equipment and successfully met Euro NCAP's test requirements. The driver and front passenger seats are equipped with a standard seatbelt reminder system. Additionally, a driver-set speed limitation device is also part of the standard equipment.

Warning sounds

In response to the considerable noise reduction inherent in electric vehicles operating at low speeds, the 2011 Nissan Leaf incorporates digital warning sounds—distinct for forward and reverse motions—to notify pedestrians, including those with visual impairments, and others of its presence. The article includes a sample of the two sounds. Nissan introduced the Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system for this purpose, also utilised in the Nissan Fuga hybrid. The VSP system generates audible alerts detectable by individuals outside the vehicle while avoiding distraction to occupants inside. During the sound's development, Nissan conducted behavioral research on the visually impaired, collaborating with cognitive and acoustic psychologists. The article has a video with the Leaf warning sounds. The sine-wave sound system spans from 2.5 kHz to 600 Hz, ensuring audibility across age groups. It produces varying high-low sounds based on speed, acceleration, or deceleration, ceasing at 30 km/h (18.6 mph) and resuming below . The 2011 model allowed drivers to temporarily disable the sounds, but the system automatically resets to "On" at the next ignition cycle. Controlled by a computer and synthesizer in the dash panel, the sound emanates from a speaker in the front driver's side wheel well. Nissan discontinued the option to disable the pedestrian alert from the 2012 model onward, anticipating a U.S. ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Upon publicising the new sounds, the U.S. National Federation of the Blind commented that "while we were pleased that the alert existed, we were unhappy that the driver could turn it off." In the United Kingdom, compliance with local regulations necessitated the removal of the Leaf's electric warning sound, as the law mandates the capability to disable any hazard warning sound between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am—a feature not supported by the Leaf's audible warning system.

Safety protection The Leaf's battery pack benefits from protective structural steel reinforcement, safeguarding it against crash damage. To prevent shock and fire hazards, the Leaf is equipped with a battery safety system triggered during a crash involving the deployment of airbags. The airbag control unit signals a mechanical disconnection of the high voltage from the vehicle. In December 2011, Nissan reported, as an indication of the Leaf safety performance, that none of the around two dozen Leafs that were destroyed during the March 2011 tsunami caught fire and their batteries remained intact. , no fires after a crash have been reported in the U.S. associated with the Leaf or other plug-in electric cars available in the market.

Features

The Leaf incorporates the CarWings telematics system, initially exclusive to Japan. Operated via a GPRS radio, akin to mobile phone connectivity, CarWings engages whenever the car is within cell tower range. This system enables various user functionalities, including mapping the car's position, estimating range, and identifying available charging stations. It tracks and compiles statistics on distance travelled and energy consumption, generating daily, monthly, and annual reports displayed on the Leaf's digital screens. All information is available on the Leaf's digital screens. Owners can remotely control the air-conditioner, heater, and charging functions through a smartphone app or secure web page, even when the vehicle is powered down. This feature allows pre-heating or pre-cooling during charging, minimising battery usage for climate control. The onboard timer allows pre-programmed charging during off-peak rates. Additionally, the Leaf's SL trim incorporates a small solar panel on the roof/spoiler, providing a trickle charge to the auxiliary battery.

Sustainability