Nissan hits the brakes on its most affordable electric car for the US

Nissan confirmed it is pausing plans to release the most affordable version of its new Leaf in the US. This "entry-level" model was supposed to arrive later this year, but those plans are now on ice. For drivers waiting for a quality EV that doesn't break the bank, this news is a bit of a letdown.

The 2026 Nissan Leaf is already a strong offering. It starts from $29,990 in the US, which is a competitive price for a modern electric car. For that money, buyers get a 75 kWh battery that provides an impressive 303 miles of range. It even won awards for being a "breakthrough" vehicle because of that value. Nissan had promised an even cheaper version, known as the Leaf S, to help more people switch to electric driving.

This missing Leaf S was designed to be simpler and more affordable. It was expected to feature a smaller 52 kWh battery and a motor producing 174 horsepower. Nissan never gave us an official price tag, but we believed it would cost less than $28,000. This would have made it the cheapest new electric car in America, even beating out the popular Chevrolet Bolt. Unfortunately, that title remains out of reach for Nissan.

Why did Nissan change its mind? The company points to the "evolving EV landscape." Dominic Vizor, a spokesperson for Nissan, explained that they are focusing resources where they create the most value. He noted that the company is still watching what customers want before deciding when - or if - to bring the smaller battery version to showrooms.

There are a few practical reasons why this delay makes sense, even if it is disappointing. First, the Leaf is built in Japan, and bringing it to the United States involves paying import taxes. Selling a car for under $30,000 is already difficult for manufacturers to do profitably. When you add shipping costs and taxes, the profit margins on a cheaper Leaf might be too thin for Nissan to justify right now.

Another factor is "range anxiety." Even though many people only drive short distances each day, American buyers usually want their electric cars to go a long way on a single charge. The smaller 52 kWh battery would offer about 200 miles of range. Historically, electric cars with less than 249 miles of range haven't sold very well in the US. Nissan might be worried that a cheaper Leaf simply wouldn't find enough buyers to be worth the effort.

The timing is also tricky because the competition is getting much tougher. Chevrolet has a redesigned Bolt on the way, and Kia is preparing to launch the EV3. These new electric cars are aimed directly at the same budget-conscious shoppers Nissan wants to attract. If Nissan can't offer a lower price, it might struggle to keep up with these fresh rivals.

Sales data shows that the Leaf is already facing some challenges. Some of this might be because of changes to government tax credits, but it also shows that the new Leaf isn't flying off the lots just yet. With the larger Nissan Ariya skipping the 2026 model year in the US, the Leaf is the only electric option Nissan has to offer.

The cheaper Leaf isn't officially canceled, but it doesn't have a new release date either. If Nissan decides to bring it back for the 2027 model year, US customers might see it in late 2026. For now, the 75 kWh Leaf remains the brand's primary hope in the electric car world. It's a solid vehicle, but the dream of a sub-$28,000 Nissan EV will have to wait a little longer.

What makes it a little bit more disappointing is the fact that Europe is already enjoying the 52 kWh version. Though "enjoying" might be the wrong word here - the cheapest Leaf starts at €35,950 in Germany, and the 72 kWh goes for €41,200 - that's equivalent to $42,400 and $48,600, respectively. It seems European customers pay a substantial premium for Nissan's latest EV.

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