Nissan has confirmed that its leaf electric hatchback will be replaced by an all-new crossover. The model is earmarked to lead the development of the firm’s Sunderland plant as an EV hub from the middle of this decade.
The Japanese maker announced earlier this year that it is investing around £1billion in the site in the North East, and that a new EV would be produced to take batteries that will be produced at a new factory being built next door.

Nissan leaf replacement to be built in Sunderland at £1bn EV36Zero hub

Our exclusive images show what Nissan’s new Leaf-replacing crossover could look like, with the new model set to feature lots of design elements from the production-ready Ariya electric SUV.
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A teaser image of the crossover was revealed at the time of its announcement, but it didn’t make it clear if the crossover – which appears to have a slightly raised ride height and a coupé-style roofline with a sharply angled tailgate – would be sold alongside a successor to the current Leaf, introduced in 2017, or be its replacement.
Now Nissan’s European boss Guillaume Cartier has confirmed that the brand has no plans for a new leaf hatchback. “We will be crossover, and we will be electrified,” he told automobile Express. “By 2023, 75 per cent of our automobiles will be electrified, one way or another, and by 2025 that figure will be 100 per cent. We are aiming to have 80 per cent of our sales volumes pure electric by 2030. We will have Juke, Qashqai and then the new automobile that will be based in Sunderland.”
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When asked directly if the automobile would sit alongside the leaf in the range, Cartier said, “It will replace it. It will be the new platform, but the shape will be different.” He did not specify if the leaf name would continue or if Nissan will choose to switch badges.
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