All images in this article have been sourced from Nissan Press.

Key Insights

The third-generation Nissan Leaf is now on sale in the UK, built in Sunderland as part of Nissan's £3 billion EV36Zero transformation that has already produced more than 270,000 Leafs
The 75kWh Leaf offers up to 386 miles of WLTP range and starts from £32,249 after the £3,750 Electric Car Grant, with a 52kWh version from £28,849 added to the range in July 2026
Electric vehicles, including the new Leaf, sit at 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, compared with a maximum of 37% for petrol and diesel cars
The outgoing Leaf scored 96.5% in the latest What Car? reliability survey, ranking third among electric cars behind the BMW i3 and i4
Employees typically save 20-50% against a personal lease when they access the new Leaf through The Electric Car Scheme's salary sacrifice scheme
Nissan's solid-state batteries remain on track for 2028, with a vehicle-grade prototype pack confirmed in April 2026 to meet charge and discharge performance targets

The third-generation Nissan Leaf is now on sale in the UK, and it’s available to salary sacrifice through The Electric Car Scheme. Built at Nissan's Sunderland plant, the new Leaf has switched from hatchback to a sleek fastback crossover, offers up to 386 miles of range, and continues Nissan's fifteen-year history of UK electric vehicle manufacturing.

For employees, the timing matters as much as the technology. Electric vehicles remain at 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, one of the lowest company car tax rates available, and the new Leaf also qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant. Together, making an electric car salary sacrifice scheme the most cost-effective route into a new EV for most UK taxpayers. Employees who access the new Leaf through The Electric Car Scheme typically save 20-50% against a personal lease, with maintenance, breakdown cover, and insurance included in a single monthly cost.

This guide covers what the new Leaf offers and how it fits into Nissan's British manufacturing story. It also looks at what reliability data tells us about the model line and what you could expect to pay through salary sacrifice.

The New Nissan Leaf Is Here

Nissan's highly anticipated third-generation Leaf electric car went on sale in the UK in late 2025, with the first customer deliveries beginning in February 2026. The new model has moved from a family hatchback to a fastback crossover shape, a departure that Nissan says addresses criticism of the previous generation's styling whilst keeping the practicality that made the Leaf one of Britain's best-selling electric cars.

Alan Johnson, senior vice president of manufacturing and supply chain management at Nissan Motor Manufacturing, said the launch reflects the skill of the Sunderland team: "It's with immense pride that we unveil the third generation of our pioneering electric Leaf, twelve years after we brought EV and battery manufacturing to the UK. It's a testament to the skill of our world-class team that we can bring into mass production a vehicle with such advanced technology and aerodynamic design."

Nissan GB confirmed pricing for the 75kWh model at £32,249 once the Electric Car Grant is applied, positioning the new Leaf as one of the more affordable routes into an electric car scheme. A smaller-battery 52kWh version followed in July 2026, bringing the range's entry price down further and giving employees more choice on price against range.

For employees comparing an electric car scheme against other new EVs on the market, that domestic manufacturing story sits alongside the tax savings and the grant as part of the new Leaf's appeal. The car's continued production at Sunderland also underpins Nissan's wider UK electrification plans, with the electric Juke set to join it on the same production line ahead of a spring 2027 launch.

A British Success Story: Manufacturing in The North

The new Nissan Leaf is more than another electric car launch. It forms part of Nissan's EV36Zero project, the company's £3 billion transformation of UK electric vehicle production, and it builds on a track record of more than 270,000 Leafs already built at Sunderland. Built by 6,000 skilled workers at the Sunderland facility, the new model is powered by batteries from AESC UK, Nissan's battery partner located adjacent to the Wearside factory.

The new Leaf also sits on the CMF-EV platform, a shared architecture that underpins the Ariya SUV too and will support the upcoming electric Juke, and it benefits from UK Investment Zone incentives designed to support advanced manufacturing in the North East. This platform-sharing approach lets Nissan spread development costs across multiple models, which supports more competitive pricing for the cars that eventually reach a company electric car scheme.

This commitment to British manufacturing has been further strengthened by £1 billion of the £3 billion programme secured for a second AESC UK electric car battery plant, demonstrating long-term confidence in the UK as a hub for electric vehicle production. For UK businesses weighing up a company electric car scheme, offering cars that have been manufactured locally (like the Leaf) can support wider Scope 3 and supply chain sustainability reporting.

New Nissan Leaf: Trims, Pricing and Specs

The new Leaf represents a pivot from its predecessors, adopting a sleek fastback design that prioritises aerodynamic efficiency. With a drag coefficient of just 0.25, this electric car achieves remarkable slipperiness through the air, featuring air-channelling metalwork, a closed grille, flush door handles, and a completely flat underbody

The new Leaf is available with two battery options.
The **75kWh model**, on sale since late 2025, delivers up to 386 miles of WLTP range and a 218PS motor, whilst the **52kWh model**, added in July 2026, delivers up to 280 miles from a 177PS motor.
Both versions use CCS rapid charging, with the 75kWh model adding up to 273 miles of range in around 30 minutes on a suitable public charger, and Nissan has finally dropped the CHAdeMO standard that limited the previous generation's public charging convenience.

Inside, twin displays handle most information and controls, with entry-level Engage trim getting two 12.3-inch screens and higher trims moving to larger units, though Nissan has kept haptic buttons for climate control and a physical volume knob rather than moving everything to a touchscreen.

The sloping roofline still allows for a generous 437-litre boot, larger than the Volkswagen ID.3's 385 litres, and the car adds vehicle-to-load technology so the battery can power external devices, useful for camping trips or power cuts.

Both versions support rapid charging at speeds up to 150kW, enabling drivers to add over 200 miles of range in approximately 30 minutes. Crucially, Nissan has finally abandoned the CHAdeMO charging standard in favour of the now-universal CCS setup, making public charging more convenient.

Trim	Battery	WLTP Range	Power	Price After Electric Car Grant
Engage	52kWh	Up to 280 miles	177PS	£28,849
Advance	52kWh	Up to 280 miles	177PS	£30,849
Engage	75kWh	Up to 386 miles	218PS	£32,249
Engage+	75kWh	Up to 386 miles	218PS	£33,149
Advance	75kWh	Up to 386 miles	218PS	£34,249
Evolve	75kWh	Up to 386 miles	218PS	£36,249

How Reliable Is The Nissan Leaf?

Employees considering a new model naturally ask how it will hold up, and the wider Leaf line gives a strong indication, though the third-generation car is too new for its own independent reliability data. The outgoing Leaf scored 96.5% in the latest What Car? reliability survey, ranking third among electric cars behind only the BMW i3 (97.4%) and i4 (96.8%), with 15% of owners reporting a fault over the survey period.

That reliability record reflects mechanical simplicity as much as anything else. Motor and inverter failures remain rare across hundreds of thousands of Leafs sold worldwide, and the model carries an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty covering degradation below 75% capacity, a threshold that is rarely triggered in real-world use. Nissan's dealer network is also one of the largest for EVs in the UK, which matters for warranty work and routine servicing.

How Much Could You Save On The Nissan Leaf Through Salary Sacrifice?

With the Benefit-in-Kind rate for electric vehicles set at 4% for 2026/27, and the new Leaf qualifying for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, salary sacrifice is one of the most cost-effective ways to access a new electric car like the Leaf. A salary sacrifice car scheme lets employees pay for their EV from gross salary before tax and National Insurance deductions, which is what drives the monthly saving compared with a personal lease.

The Electric Car Scheme's package for the new Leaf is designed to remove the extra costs that usually complicate leasing, combining:

The new Nissan Leaf lease, alongside 200+ other EVs
Full maintenance and servicing
Breakdown cover
Comprehensive insurance add-on
Optional home charger installation
Salary sacrifice charging through The Charge Scheme

The figures below are based on an employee earning £60,000 a year (a higher-rate, 40% taxpayer), driving 10,000 miles annually on a 3-year lease with a flat payment profile.

Salary Sacrifice Savings Breakdown	130kW Engage 52kWh	130kW Advance 52kWh	160kW Engage 75kWh	160kW Engage+ 75kWh	160kW Advance 75kWh	160kW Evolve 75kWh
Average monthly salary sacrifice (inc VAT)	£503	£519	£526	£541	£542	£581
Employee income savings	-£201	-£207	-£210	-£216	-£217	-£232
Employee National Insurance savings	-£10	-£10	-£11	-£11	-£11	-£12
Average benefit-in-kind tax over term	£67	£72	£74	£76	£79	£83
Net cost/You pay	£359	£374	£379	£390	£393	£419

For UK employees, the new Nissan Leaf will be available through The Electric Car Scheme's salary sacrifice scheme, offering substantial savings on this exciting new electric car. Through an electric car salary sacrifice scheme, employees can save 20-50% compared to traditional personal contract hire arrangements.

New Leaf vs Typical Alternatives

Employees weighing up the new Leaf against other options in this class are usually comparing British manufacturing and proven reliability against newer entrants with less UK track record. The table below sets out how the new Leaf's headline figures compare with a typical alternative in the same segment.

The Future of Electric Mobility

The new Nissan Leaf's arrival represents a significant moment for the UK electric vehicle market. It joins an expanding range of electric cars available through salary sacrifice schemes, including the Ariya SUV, the Micra EV already on sale, and the newly revealed electric Juke, due in spring 2027.

Nissan is also investing in solid-state battery technology, due to arrive in fiscal year 2028. The new cells promise double the energy density of current lithium-ion packs and significantly faster charging, a development that could extend range and cut charging times further in future Leaf generations. Nissan's Yokohama pilot facility, operational since January 2025, confirmed in April 2026 that a 23-layer vehicle-grade prototype pack has met the charge and discharge performance targets needed for commercial deployment, with a partnership agreed with LiCAP Technologies to help bring manufacturing costs down.

For UK businesses looking to offer an attractive employee benefit whilst supporting sustainability goals, an electric car salary sacrifice scheme provides a practical route to both aims. Employees access the latest electric vehicle technology at a reduced cost, whilst employers demonstrate progress on emissions without any direct cost to the business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the New Nissan Leaf Available to Order Now?

Yes. The 75kWh Leaf has been on sale since late 2025, with customer deliveries underway since February 2026. The smaller 52kWh version followed in July 2026, giving employees more choice on price against range.

How Much Range Does the New Leaf Have?

The 75kWh model offers up to 386 miles of WLTP range, whilst the 52kWh model offers up to 280 miles. Real-world range will vary with driving style, weather, and speed.

What Is the Benefit-in-Kind Rate on the New Leaf?

As a fully electric car, the new Leaf qualifies for the 4% Benefit-in-Kind rate that applies to zero-emission vehicles in 2026/27. This compares with a maximum of 37% for the highest-emission petrol and diesel cars.

Does the New Leaf Qualify for the Electric Car Grant?

Yes. The new Leaf qualifies for the full £3,750 Band 1 Electric Car Grant, which is applied automatically at the point of sale and reflected in the pricing above.

Is the Nissan Leaf Reliable?

The outgoing Leaf scored 96.5% in the latest What Car? reliability survey, ranking third among electric cars behind the BMW i3 and i4, with 15% of owners reporting a fault. The new third-generation model hasn't yet accumulated its own independent reliability data.

Can I Get the New Leaf Through Salary Sacrifice?

Yes. The Electric Car Scheme offers the new Leaf through its salary sacrifice scheme, alongside maintenance, breakdown cover, and insurance in a single monthly cost. Full net cost figures will follow once confirmed through the quote tool.

The new Nissan Leaf brings together British manufacturing, a genuine range improvement, and one of the strongest reliability track records in the electric vehicle market. Built at Sunderland as part of Nissan's £3 billion EV36Zero programme, it offers up to 386 miles of range and 150kW rapid charging, alongside the 96.5% reliability score that has made the Leaf name trusted by UK drivers for over a decade.

With electric vehicles taxed at 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27 and the new Leaf qualifying for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, accessing it through The Electric Car Scheme's salary sacrifice scheme remains one of the most cost-effective ways for UK employees to drive a new EV. Full net cost figures will follow once confirmed through the quote tool.

Ready to find out how much you could save on the new Nissan Leaf through salary sacrifice? Get an instant quote and see your personalised savings.

Are you an employer?

BOOK A DEMO

Are you an employee?

SEE AVAILABLE CARS

ECS GUIDES AND ADVICE

Ready to Go Electric? Your Guides and Tools to a Smooth Switch

How the Scheme Works
Find out how salary sacrifice can work for you or your business.
The Charge Scheme
Save 20-50% on all charging costs through salary sacrifice - at home, the office, or in public..
Complete Employer Protection
All employers and drivers are protected from day 1.
Used Electric Cars
Discover the most affordable way to drive electric. Cars delivered in 14 days.