Nissan pulls the plug on the under-$30K LEAF EV for 2026

The new and improved LEAF is one of the most affordable EVs on the market, but Nissan was supposed to add a new entry-level trim, starting at under $30,000.

Nissan cancels cheaper LEAF trim for the 2026 model

Nissan updated the iconic electric hatch with a taller, more SUV-like design, longer driving range, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

The 2026 Nissan LEAF S+ starts at $29,990. With the destination fee, it’s still just $31,485, making it one of the most affordable EVs in the US alongside the new 2027 Chevy Bolt, which starts at $28,995 (including a $1,395 destintion fee).

After announcing prices last year, Nissan said the $30,000 LEAF S+ had “the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US,” but the company promised an even more affordable S trim would be added to the lineup soon.

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The entry-level model was set to offer a smaller 52 kWh battery and a less powerful electric motor for a lower price.

That will no longer happen. At least not for the 2026 model year. A Nissan spokesperson confirmed with Car and Driver that “we have decided not to introduce the smaller‑battery variant of the 2026 Nissan LEAF in the US this model year.”

Nissan will “continue to assess future battery configurations based on customer demand and segment needs,” the spokesperson said, so a 2027 model year has not yet been decided.

All current 2026 LEAF models are powered by a 75 kWh battery, delivering between 259 miles and 303 miles of range. While Nissan didn’t announce range estimates for the cheaper S trim, it would have been considerably less.

It was expected to feature a 174-horsepower front-mounted electric motor, down from the current 214 horsepower, across all current LEAF trims.

Electrek’s Take

While Nissan will “continue to assess” the cheaper LEAF S trim, don’t get your hopes up too soon. Nissan has already cut the Ariya electric SUV from its 2026 lineup, leaving the LEAF as its sole EV in the US.

The recent policy changes, including the removal of the $7,500 federal tax credit, have forced several automakers to delay or rethink EV plans, leaving fewer options. Kia delayed the EV4, its mass-market electric sedan, due to tariffs and other policy changes.

While the 2026 LEAF is still among the most affordable EVs you can get your hands on, other automakers are racing to introduce cheaper models, such as Ford, Rivian, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

The LEAF was expected to play a crucial role in Nissan’s comeback plan, and it likely still will. However, Nissan will need to beat, or at least match, upcoming entry-level EVs to make it happen.