No big shock as electric Leaf price is slashed

THE news that Nissan is cutting the price of its battery-powered LEAF hardly comes as an electric shock.

As it tries to push more buyers in the direction of its all-electric family hatch, Nissan’s aim is to make zero-emission mobility more affordable by slashing the price of the LEAF by £2,500.

It’s part of a global effort to make the LEAF more affordable in the pioneering electric vehicle’s three main markets of Japan, Europe and the United States, but, in reality, the price cut only brings the car back down to around the price Nissan was asking when it was first launched here almost two years ago.

However, with a £5,000 Government incentive, it means a customer can drive away in a brand new LEAF for £23,490, or just £239 per month – little more than the cost of a top-spec conventional hatchback.

In addition to the reduction in the retail price, UK customers can also benefit from offers including low rate finance. The new price is effective immediately, ahead of the arrival of an updated version of the LEAF which is to be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant from the Spring.

According to  Paul Willcox, senior vice president of Nissan Europe: “Nissan’s objective for LEAF has always been to bring zero-emission mobility within reach of the mass-market. Our price reduction underlines that commitment and with no price premium even more motorists will become believers.”