Nissan Leaf 2022 is now the cheapest EV in the US — and it's a game changer

Nissan Leaf 2022 is now the cheapest EV in the US — and information technology's a game changer

(Image credit: Nissan)

Update: Nissan just announced the entry-level Micra will also be getting an electrical makeover . Plus information technology'll be made on the CMF-BEV platform which promises to reduce costs and power consumption — which could make information technology cheaper than even the Leaf.

The Nissan Leafage has always been one of the cheaper EVs on the market, but the 2022 model has just taken things up a notch. Nissan has dropped the starting toll to $27,400, making it the cheapest EV on auction in the U.S.

This news is a big bargain, not but because it'll help boost the leaf's existing popularity, but because of the effect it could have on the EV industry as a whole. In fact, inexpensive prices like this will aid ready 1 of the electric car manufacture's biggest issues.

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There are several reasons why some people are hesitant to purchase an EV over a gas-powered machine. A lot of focus is leveled on recharging infrastructure and range, though pricing is notwithstanding a major business concern. While there are plenty of EVs under the $twoscore,000 mark, as a full general rule they are still more expensive than their gas equivalents.

Take the Nissan Micra, for instance. Newer models have the exact same design every bit the Leaf, and prices commencement at £xiv,340 hither in the U.K. Meanwhile, the cheapest Leafage is £25,995 — almost £12,000 more than. Likewise, the Ford F-150 Lightning is going to keep auction in the U.Due south. next yr for $39,974, while the gas-powered F-150 is over $x,000 cheaper at $29,990.

Of form, most of the cost delta between EVs and gas-powered cars stems from the fact lithium batteries are expensive, and that's a huge part of why EVs toll equally much every bit they exercise. It'south a problem that's simply going to get ameliorate with time, just for at present information technology ways ownership a brand new EV is a plush effort.

Lower EV prices are good for everyone

I'd previously argued that Tesla releasing a $25K hatchback would be keen for the EV industry, since it would likely set a new standard on what a cheap electric automobile should be like. The thought existence that by releasing a machine with all the standard Tesla features for such a low price, other automakers would have to follow arrange in order to compete.

The Leaf S is however eligible for the total $7,500 federal tax rebate, which makes the toll a Leafage only under $20,000.

Nissan clearly decided it was time to lower the cost of entry right at present, rather than wait for Tesla to become in that location commencement. And it's not just the entry-level Nissan Leaf S that's enjoyed a toll cutting, either. All Nissan Leaf variants have had even bigger price cuts, making the most expensive Leaf SL Plus just $37,400. That's $2,500 cheaper than the Tesla Model 3, for those keeping score.

Of course, that doesn't even brainstorm to consider the federal tax credits you lot might exist able to claim. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy still lists the Leaf every bit existence eligible for the total $seven,500 federal tax rebate, which makes the cost of buying a 2022 Leaf (minus taxes, licenses, and fees) but under $20,000.

This new price change means that the 2022 Foliage is cheaper than the Mini Electric, the previous 'cheapest' EV in the U.S. that starts at $29,900. In fact, the Mini Electric is looking similar a pretty poor deal in comparing, since it only offers 114 miles of range on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 40kWh Foliage models offer an EPA range of 149 miles, and the 62kWh models offer 226 miles.

In other words, the Leaf is a much ameliorate deal, particularly now that Nissan has corrected a terrible fault and made the 50kW CHAdeMO rapid charger a standard feature on its cheapest models. But the 2022 Leaf does still employ a CHAdeMO charger, rather than the more common CCS, which means Nissan continues to be the main holdout on the ailing charging standard in the U.S.

More is needed, simply this is a great start

Don't go me wrong, $27,500 is even so a decent corporeality of money to spend, even if it is cheaper than some of the more extravagant cars on the roads. But by lowering its prices in this way, Nissan has made the 2022 Leaf a lot more appealing.

That'southward exactly what the EV industry needs, lower prices that give people enough of an incentive to choose electric over gas. And if one company is willing to undercut the competition on price, y'all can be damn sure that the other EV makers will be taking detect. It would not be surprising if other electrical auto companies made similar cost cuts over the coming months.

Plus, encouraging people to buy more than new electric cars will probable take an impact on the used car market as well. The used car industry is huge, and makes owning a car a lot more affordable than buying new every single time. The merely outcome is that finding a good used EV tin can be difficult.

Just by having more EVs on the road, it means those cars will eventually find their way into used car dealerships across the Us. It's a move that will in-plough make EVs even more attainable to a whole new market.

It'south going to take time, simply Nissan has only taken the start big step to making it happen. The Nissan Leafage 2022 is expected to arrive before the end of the year, though we don't know exactly when.

More: My favorite thing about driving an electric car isn't what yous think

Tom is the Tom'southward Guide's Automotive Editor, which ways he tin can usually be found knee joint deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It'south long manner from his days as editor of Gizmodo United kingdom, when pretty much everything was on the table. He's usually constitute trying to squeeze another giant Lego set up onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.