Gears Up for 2025 Nissan Leaf Production: A New Chapter for the Iconic EV.
Gears Up for 2025 Nissan Leaf Production: A New Chapter for the Iconic EV.
Despite being outdated, the Nissan Leaf remains on sale. We’ve driven and reviewed it, and while it’s not a bad car, and certainly lagging in the modern EV landscape. The Leaf still uses the outdated CHAdeMO for DC fast charging and features an air-cooled battery, unlike the more advanced liquid-cooled systems becoming standard. However, the Leaf brand is strong, and Nissan is finally preparing its replacement. According to a source, the next-generation Nissan Leaf could enter production as early as March 2025.
Revamping Production at Sunderland
Autocar reports that Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK is already gearing up for the new model. The plant has undergone a massive $2.5 billion (£2 billion) retooling to accommodate this shift. Currently, the Sunderland plant produces the Europe-only Nissan Juke and Qashqai ICE-powered crossovers. These models’ electric successors will also be manufactured at Sunderland. The plant has been upgraded with two new battery plants nearby, ensuring the battery supply for the Leaf and other future vehicles to support EV production.
Interestingly, Nissan ended production of the current-generation Leaf at its UK plant earlier this year, making the new Leaf a return to form for the Sunderland facility. However, this transition hasn’t been without challenges. Alan Johnson, Nissan UK’s regional manufacturing boss, acknowledged the uncertainties posed by Brexit. Despite these hurdles, Nissan seems committed to the plant, a contrast to Honda, which closed its Swindon plant in 2021 after 35 years of production.
Implications for the U.S. Market
The new Leaf’s production location raises questions about its availability in the U.S. Currently, the Nissan Leaf is manufactured in Tennessee, making it partially eligible for the IRA’s tax credit for plug-in vehicles. A UK-made Leaf would not qualify for these incentives. However, Nissan plans to move Leaf production out of the U.S. entirely, with future models to be made in Japan or the UK.
In parallel, Nissan is delaying its new generation of U.S.-built electric sedans to focus on more popular electric SUVs as the EV market cools slightly.
A New Look for the Leaf
The next-generation Leaf’s design remains a mystery, but it’s expected to resemble the 2021 Chill-Out concept. This suggests a shift from the Leaf’s hatchback style to a semi-crossover, high-riding design. According to Autocar, the UK factory will begin test trials of the 2025 Leaf in August, with an official release around March 2025. This timeline means we should see the production version of the next Leaf before the end of the year.
Looking Ahead
This development is promising for Nissan, even if it’s uncertain whether the new Leaf will come to the U.S. As noted, the current Leaf is a pleasant car but is overdue for an update. If Nissan can enhance the new Leaf’s range, efficiency, and in-car tech while maintaining an affordable price, it could be a major success, even without IRA tax incentives. The U.S. market is still eager for reasonably priced EVs, and the new Leaf could meet this demand.
In summary, Nissan is on the verge of a significant update to its Leaf lineup, with a new model poised to enter production in 2025. With strategic production upgrades and a fresh design approach, the next-generation Leaf could reinvigorate Nissan’s position in the competitive EV market.
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