When Nissan unveiled the new Leaf crossover, two things immediately stood out: A 75 kWh model with up to 303 miles of range, and a 52 kWh model that was set to be America’s cheapest new EV. Even without federal tax credits, it was expected to start well under $30,000. Something like under $28,000, a price that—for drivers able to charge at home—theoretically could’ve wiped out the cost difference from a Kicks combustion-powered small crossover in a matter of years based on running costs alone. While we’ve driven the long-range model and it is good, there’s some bad news regarding that dirt-cheap 52 kWh S model. According to Edmunds, the short-range Nissan Leaf has been indefinitely delayed for North America.
A Nissan spokesperson confirmed to Edmunds that because the brand “continually evaluates market trends, customer preferences, and the evolving EV landscape to ensure we are focusing our resources where they create the most value.” As a result, it has “decided not to introduce the smaller battery variant of the 2026 Nissan LEAF in the U.S. and Canada this model year.”
At first glance, this doesn’t seem like great news, especially as new cars generally continue to get less and less affordable. A true sub-$30k EV from Nissan could’ve tapped into the demographic keenest on EVs, Gen Z, without completely breaking their wallets. However, having to wait indefinitely probably isn’t the worst situation considering what that cheapest Leaf might’ve actually offered.
Nissan hasn’t released range figures for the base Leaf S, but they aren’t hard to ballpark with an educated guess. We already know that the short-range-spec Leaf was supposed to come with a 52 kWh battery pack, so let’s assume that’s net capacity for a second. At the same time, the 75 kWh Leaf S+ is rated to consumer 3.57 mi/kWh, and it’s reasonable to expect a lighter model with a smaller battery pack to be a bit more efficient than that. Even if we’re being a touch generous and assuming the Leaf S would achieve around four mi/kWh, that would still theoretically put potential range in the rough ballpark of 208 miles. Probably not exactly 208 miles, but likely low-200s.
Considering the reborn Chevrolet Bolt starts at $28,995 and serves up 262 miles of range, anything in a similar price bracket that may produce a range figure closer to 200 miles would probably be a tough sell. Think standard-range Hyundai Kona Electric, or even the old Nissan Leaf.
Even though early modern EVs like the original Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MIEV could have only dreamed of achieving 200 miles on a single charge, expectations from and appeal of battery electric vehicles have come a long way. Nevertheless, a recent AAA study reports that consumer fears remain more or less the same as ever.
High battery repair costs (62%) and purchase price (59%) are cited as key barriers to go fully electric. Other top concerns identified in this year’s survey were the perceived unsuitability of EVs for long-distance travel (57%), a lack of convenient public charging stations (56%), and fear of running out of charge while driving (55%).
Right, that’s three of respondents’ top-five fears represented in shorter-range EVs, in the sense that fear of running out of charge and a need to more frequently find public DC fast chargers on road trips can combine to exacerbate that “perceived unsuitability of EVs for long-distance travel” when certain entry-level EVs don’t offer a huge distance buffer for 10-to-80-percent DC fast charging.
In a way, Nissan is smart for delaying the 52 kWh Leaf, even if it might not be the greatest move from an optics perspective. It’s no secret that the EV market isn’t on the same growth trajectory it saw when federal tax credits were in place, and a $31,485 EV that can do 303 miles on a charge is a whole lot more appealing than something purported to cost a hair under $28,000 including freight that would’ve come with a substantial range reduction over its bigger-batteried sibling. Maybe when the Bolt goes off-sale again, we’ll finally see the cheapest Leaf.
Top graphic image: Nissan
This lower version is the perfect high schooler vehicle if you want new safety features, price comparable to a Chevy Trax but you dont want to spend gas, and as a parent, forget for oil changes or things of that nature that kids probably dont care. This is something that my oldest kid could drive then pass it along the next one and at the end use it as winter beater for myself lol
I agree, but also have a practical question about charging.
How long are the cords on level 2 chargers? Because in most families, Mom’s vehicle is inside the garage, Dad and the Kids get the driveway. If the Kids have an EV, they will need a cord from the driveway to the charger in the garage or an outdoor rated plug by the driveway.
I have a 3 car garage, most of the homes have two with junk on the side with one space available like you mention. I dont know how safe this is but there is a Level 2 charging extension cord that plugs into the end of your Level 2 charging cord (Male/Female situation) and then to your vehicle. Basically you extend the Level 2 cord, I do that when I dont want to park inside and charge outside too, I just limit the charging rate to 16A just to be safe even if the cords are rated for 40A.
Two years with no issues, yet.
It does depend on the exact brand and model but I’ve got one whose cord is 25′ from the box to the car side plug.
With data centers driving up electricity costs, I’m not sure if charging at home really saves any money anymore.
It’s staggering how much all this ai slop investing is ruining literally everything. I hope we’re not sent back to the Bronze Age when all this collapses.
I’m wondering what the Venn diagram looks like for Gen Z that are interested in EVs and also have a living situation where they can have a dedicated parking space for charging at their residence.
Multi-generational households are coming back in a big way (DAMN YOU DOW UNDER 50k!). So they’ll just need to argue with mom and dad for a spot in the garage.
Living at home until you’re married: not just for art majors and the religiously conservative anymore!
I don’t see that happening. For decades, we have had a primary vehicle and secondary vehicle(s). The primary one was used to take kids to and from everything and for trips and the like. It was the nicest vehicle and was kept in the garage.
Now, admittedly, nothing says that the family truckster has to be kept in the garage, but it’s hard to change tradition.
I have a daughter living at home and my plans are to put an outdoor plug when I upgrade to EVs.
My current scenario is 3 kids, 4 cars, 2 garage bays. The 2 cars with plugs get to stay inside. In a pinch, the L2 plug can reach about 12 feet out the door.
I don’t know if any of them will ever leave….
If these remain cheap, we’ll all be reading about stories of Big Leaf Energy in the coming years.