NISSAN has slashed the price of its plug-in electric Leaf by £2,500 to £23,490 – or as little as £239 per month when the reduced price is combined with low-rate finance offers for PCP and HP.
The Leaf was warmly received when it was first launched in the UK in 2011, with reviewers praising its space, comfort and refinement.
Nissan’s objective for Leaf has always been to bring zero-emission mobility within reach of the mass-market
But the subsequent arrival of two-similarly-sized alternatives, the Vauxhall Ampera range-extender and the plug-in version of the Toyota Prius hybrid, highlighted the Leaf’s main weakness – its limited range on a single charge from the mains.
The Vauxhall and the Toyota are able to complete most short trips on electric power, but can draw upon their petrol engines in order to complete occasional longer journeys as well.
Nissan’s latest move means that the Leaf now has a much bigger pricing edge against the £29,995 Ampera and the £28,245 Prius. That may tip the balance for some businesses that can live with the Leaf’s limited range and like its zero road tax and company car tax, as well as its very low running costs.
Paul Willcox, senior vice president, Nissan Europe, said “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.”
The price cut also sets the stage for the start of UK Leaf production at Nissan’s booming Sunderland plant this year.
