The Nissan Leaf (also formatted “LEAF” as a backronym for leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car)[11] is a compact five-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan and introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010, followed by various European countries and Canada in 2011. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the 2016 model year Leaf with the 30 kWh battery is 172 km (107 miles) on a full battery charge, while the trim with the smaller 24 kWh battery is 135 km (84 miles), the same as the 2014/15 model year.
As of December 2015, the Nissan Leaf is the world’s all-time best selling highway-capable all-electric car. Leaf global sales passed the 200,000 unit milestone in December 2015, five years after its introduction. As of December 2015, the top markets for Leaf sales are the United States with over 89,000 units, followed by Japan with over 57,000 units, and Europe with over 49,000 Leafs. The European market is led by Norway with over 15,000 new units, and the U.K. with over 12,000 units registered.
As an all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf produces no tailpipe pollution or greenhouse gas emissions at the point of operation, and contributes to reduced dependence on petroleum.[12][13] Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011–2012 Car of the Year Japan.
