As Nissan marked the 10th anniversary of the LEAF, a car that pioneered mass-market EV driving for the world, Nissan GB also celebrated its 40,000th LEAF sale, continuing its position as the UK’s best-selling electric car to date.

Following its launch in 2010, the Nissan LEAF first appeared in UK dealerships in March 2011. It took four years to pass 10,000 sales (in 2015), and another two years to pass 20,000 (in 2017). The 40,000th sale milestone was achieved at the end of November 2020.

The UK has been one of Nissan’s fastest growing EV markets, responsible for over one in five LEAF sales in Europe. Production of LEAF has also been based at Nissan’s Sunderland plant since April 2013.

Now in its 10th year of sales, the LEAF is frequently recognised for its ‘used credentials’ and has become the entry point to EV driving for thousands of motorists, with earlier examples ‘representing a very accessible route to EV ownership’.

In recognition of its position in the growing used EV market, in December the LEAF was named ‘Used Electric Car of the Year’ in the ‘Driving Electric Awards 2021’, a ‘celebration’ of the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars on sale today.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: “We are absolutely delighted the Nissan LEAF has been recognised yet again as the most accessible and reliable route to EV ownership for used car buyers.

“2020 has been a year of enormous challenges and seismic disruption to both society and the automotive industry. Yet out of this has come a greater awareness and keen interest in the benefits of zero-emission driving.

“We are seeing unprecedented demand for both new and used LEAF models, as more consumers realise EV ownership is entirely suited to their lifestyles.”