The New Nissan Leaf: Britain-Built EV Pioneer Returns as a Crossover
Back in 2010, when Tesla was still a newcomer in the electric vehicle world, Nissan made headlines by launching the Leaf, the first mass-produced electric car. With its eco-friendly name and forward-thinking design, the Leaf quickly earned accolades like World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year, setting the benchmark for the EV revolution that followed.
Now, fifteen years on, Nissan has unveiled the third-generation Leaf, and it comes with a familiar twist. Like many modern cars, the Leaf has evolved from a hatchback into a crossover SUV.
Positioned in Nissan’s EV lineup just below the Ariya and above the upcoming all-electric Micra, the new Leaf is expected to start at just under £30,000, with top trims possibly approaching £40,000.
Despite its SUV form, the new Leaf promises solid range performance. Even on motorways, typically not the most efficient terrain for EVs, Nissan claims that models equipped with the larger battery will be capable of driving over 205 miles on a single charge.
While the design was penned in Japan to suit global tastes, the European version of the Leaf has strong British roots. Engineering for the region was carried out at Nissan’s Cranfield centre in Bedfordshire, and the car will be manufactured at the company’s massive Sunderland plant in Tyne and Wear.
Full pricing and specifications will be revealed in the autumn, with orders opening soon after. First customer deliveries are scheduled for spring 2026, following the launch of the new electric Micra.
North East Lincolnshire to Invest £1.5m in Expanding EV Charging Network
Nearly £1.5 million is set to be invested in expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across North East Lincolnshire.
The local council plans to install between 300 and 600 new charging units in a mix of locations, including street lamps, standalone pedestals, and public car parks. The focus will be on areas where residents have limited or no access to off-street parking, ensuring more people can make the switch to electric vehicles.
The funding comes from the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, part of a national effort to accelerate the transition to cleaner transport.
Councilor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for transport, housing, and infrastructure, welcomed the news, saying: “We’re thrilled to have secured this funding and look forward to the positive impact it will have. Becoming carbon neutral and reaching net zero are top priorities for this council, and projects like this will help drive meaningful progress toward those goals.”
The project marks a significant step forward in the council’s sustainability strategy, aiming to make EV ownership more accessible and convenient for residents.
Chancellor Unveils £2.6bn Investment to Accelerate UK’s EV Transition
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a major funding boost for electric vehicles as part of the Government’s latest Spending Review, signalling a decisive shift away from petrol and diesel transport.
The package includes £1.4 billion to drive the continued adoption of electric vehicles, including vans and heavy goods vehicles, alongside an additional £400 million dedicated to expanding the UK's EV charging infrastructure.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Reeves highlighted that the funding will build on the nearly 80,000 public charging points already installed across the country.
This initiative is part of a wider £2.6 billion commitment to decarbonise the transport sector. The Chancellor called it "the right choice for bills, the right choice for jobs, and the right choice for growth."
Drivers are expected to benefit directly from the investment, with the expanded charging network making it easier and more convenient to own and operate electric vehicles nationwide.
