In a groundbreaking achievement for the automotive industry, Nissan has recently surpassed one million electric vehicle (EV) sales worldwide, marking a significant milestone for the company. This feat comes 12 years after the launch of their iconic all-electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf. The Japanese automaker’s commitment to sustainable transportation has made a remarkable impact on the global EV market, revolutionizing the way people perceive and embrace electric mobility.
Nissan has sold over one million electric vehicles worldwide
Since its introduction over a decade ago, more than 650,000 Nissan LEAF units have been sold. For many years, Nissan’s LEAF was the best-selling electric vehicle, and the company was regarded as a pioneer in the EV market. After a decade and minor changes, the industry has fully reversed. Almost every major automaker has or plans to release a fully electric vehicle. Many companies are already working on second or third-generation EVs. Until Tesla’s Model 3 surpassed it in early 2020, the LEAF was the best-selling EV (cumulatively) with a respectable range and a comfortable interior. Model 3 deliveries began in late 2017, and it quickly became the best-selling EV in 2018 and 2019, eventually overtaking the Model S.
Also read: Nissan’s Electric SUV Outsells the LEAF in the US for the Second Straight Quarter
Meanwhile, Nissan has failed to improve the tiny EV in recent years, despite declining sales. Nissan has announced that the 2024 LEAF would use the outmoded CHAdeMO charging system, which should have been updated years ago. As purchasers move on to more advanced, longer-range vehicles, the LEAF has lost its luster. Nissan stated on Tuesday that it had sold one million global EVs since unveiling its first mass-market EV over a decade ago.
In comparison, Tesla has already delivered 888,000 units through the first half of 2023 as it strives to meet its 1.8 million EV delivery target this year alone.
The following chapter
Nissan eventually delivered its second all-electric global EV and first electric SUV, the Nissan Ariya, after more than a decade (and a few delays). Although it was slated to hit dealerships in 2021, Ariya sales began in the United States in late 2022. Nisan’s electric SUV has already outsold the LEAF in the United States in the first half of the year. Ariya models have sold 5,195 units, while LEAF models have sold 4,234 units.
Also read: Japanese Nissan Now Aims to Catch Up With Tesla in The USA and Volkswagen Group in Europe
The 2023 Ariya (63 kWh) starts at $43,190 and has a range of up to 216 miles. For an additional $47,190, you can have a larger 87 kWh battery with a range of up to 304 miles. Nissan was the first Japanese carmaker to integrate Tesla’s NACS connector, enabling EV purchasers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in order to improve sales and acceptance in the United States. Nissan’s production schedule (via Automotive News) indicates that the carmaker will begin producing a pair of electric vehicles at its Canton, MS, facility in 2026. Over the next two years, a couple of electric crossovers will follow.
Nissan also debuted the Sakura, the first mini-EV, in Japan. The Sakura, according to the carmaker, “will be a game changer for the Japanese market and will make EVs much more accessible to customers in Japan.” The Sakura starts at 2,333,100 yen (about $16.5K) and has a WLTC Japan cycle range of up to 180 kilometers (111 mi). According to Nissan, the tiny EV has already received over 50,000 orders in Japan. Nissan intends to launch 19 EV cars by 2030 as part of its Nissan Ambition 2030 strategy. The company also plans to offer EVs using in-house designed solid-state batteries capable of holding double the energy of existing lithium-ion batteries by 2028.
