Nissan Leaf 2026: UK prices from £28,849 as Sunderland output ramps up
Nissan says Leaf production in Sunderland is now fully under way after a slow start. Here are the UK prices after the Electric Car Grant, the range of each battery and how it compares with the Kia EV3 and Vauxhall Astra Electric.
Quick answers
- Nissan says production of the third-generation Leaf at Sunderland is now fully under way, after start-up problems its Europe chief Jordi Vila called very technical.
- Only 1,937 Leafs had been registered in Europe by the end of August 2026, although production began in December 2025 and the plant's target is about 100,000 a year.
- UK prices after the £3,750 Electric Car Grant start at £28,849 for the 52kWh Leaf (up to 280 miles) and £32,249 for the 75kWh car (up to 386 miles).
- The 52kWh Leaf undercuts the Kia EV3 Air Standard Range at £31,555 after its £1,500 grant, but the Vauxhall Astra Electric starts lower at £28,495 after its grant.
- We could not find a verified UK delivery time for the Leaf, so ask your dealer for a written date.
Nissan says production of the third-generation Leaf at its Sunderland plant is now fully under way, after a start-up it blamed on “very technical” problems. Only 1,937 Leafs had been registered in Europe by the end of August 2026, although production began in December 2025. For UK buyers, the Leaf costs from £28,849 after the £3,750 Electric Car Grant, which makes it one of the cheaper electric crossovers you can order.
What has changed with Leaf production?
Nissan Europe chief Jordi Vila said the cause of the delay was “very technical” and gave no further detail, according to Automotive News, which reported that output for Europe is now fully engaged. Car Revs Daily carried the same account.
The scale of the gap is clear. Production began in December 2025, yet only 1,937 Leafs were registered in Europe by the end of August, against a plant target of about 100,000 a year. Our report on Nissan’s Sunderland investment covers the wider plans for the site.
Nissan Leaf UK prices and range
All prices below include the £3,750 Electric Car Grant. Without it, each price would be £3,750 higher.
| Version | UK price (after grant) | WLTP range |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf 52kWh Engage | £28,849 | Up to 280 miles |
| Leaf 52kWh Advance | £30,849 | Up to 280 miles |
| Leaf 75kWh (entry) | £32,249 | Up to 386 miles |
| Leaf 75kWh Evolve | £36,249 | Up to 386 miles |
Sources: Nissan UK, Nissan UK Newsroom, Which EV. The 52kWh car is sold in Engage and Advance trims. Check which models qualify for the grant before you order.
The 52kWh Leaf is the one to watch. It reached UK order books in July and brings the Leaf under £30,000, which puts it on our list of electric cars under £30,000.
How does the Leaf compare with the Kia EV3 and Vauxhall Astra Electric?
| Car | UK price (after grant) | WLTP range |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf 52kWh Engage | £28,849 | Up to 280 miles |
| Kia EV3 Air Standard Range | £31,555 (after £1,500 grant) | Up to 270 miles |
| Vauxhall Astra Electric | £28,495 (after £1,500 grant) | Up to 281 miles |
Sources: Nissan UK, Motoring Research, Autocar, Vauxhall. The Kia’s 270 miles is the Standard Range figure; the Long Range EV3 reaches 375 miles at a higher price.
The Leaf is £2,706 cheaper than the EV3 Air Standard Range, because it qualifies for the full £3,750 grant while the Kia receives £1,500, and its 280 miles is 10 miles more than the Kia’s 270. The Vauxhall Astra Electric is a different story: at £28,495 after its £1,500 grant it is £354 cheaper than the Leaf 52kWh Engage, with up to 281 miles of range, so the Leaf’s edge is its crossover body and grant band, not price. For a fuller look at the Kia, see our EV3, EV4 and EV5 price guide.
Why does the Sunderland battery plant matter?
The Leaf’s cells come from AESC’s gigafactory next to the plant, which opened in December 2025 with a first phase of 15.8GWh (electrive). A UK-built car with UK-made cells shortens the supply chain. If Leaf output stays low, though, the plant next door has less demand to serve. Our gigafactory analysis looks at the risks.
How long is the wait?
We could not find a verified UK delivery time for the new Leaf, so treat any quoted lead time with caution until your dealer confirms one in writing. Separately, Nissan has delivered its 100,000th UK electric car, a Micra, according to Motor Trade News.
What this means for you
If you want a UK-built electric crossover for under £30,000, the 52kWh Leaf Engage at £28,849 is the cheapest way in, and it carries the full grant. The Astra Electric is cheaper still at £28,495 if you do not need the Leaf. Choose the 75kWh car from £32,249 if you regularly drive long distances, because its up to 386 miles is well above the 52kWh car’s 280 miles.
Ask your dealer for a written delivery date, as production problems are now said to be solved but registrations are still low. If you are comparing the grant models, our cheapest new EVs list shows the alternatives.
Method and sources
Prices are Nissan UK figures including the Electric Car Grant, with rival prices from the sources linked above. Range figures are WLTP claims, and we have not driven the new Leaf. We will update this page as Nissan reports production and delivery progress.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the new Nissan Leaf in the UK?
The 52kWh Leaf Engage starts at £28,849 and the Advance at £30,849, both including the £3,750 Electric Car Grant. The 75kWh Leaf starts at £32,249 including the grant, and the top Evolve costs £36,249, also including the grant.
How far can the new Nissan Leaf go on a charge?
Nissan quotes up to 280 miles WLTP for the 52kWh Leaf and up to 386 miles for the 75kWh version. Real-world range will be lower in cold weather and at motorway speeds.
Is the Nissan Leaf built in Britain?
Yes. Production is at Nissan's Sunderland plant, and the batteries come from AESC's gigafactory next door, which opened in December 2025 with a first phase of 15.8GWh.
Why was the Leaf delayed?
Nissan Europe chief Jordi Vila said the reason for the delay was very technical and gave no further detail. By the end of August 2026 only 1,937 Leafs had been registered in Europe.
How long is the wait for a new Nissan Leaf?
We could not find a verified UK delivery time for the new Leaf. Production at Sunderland is now said to be fully running, but registrations remain low, so ask your dealer for a firm written date before you sign.
Sources and further reading
- autonews.comAutomotive NewsPrimary source referenced in this article.
- car-revs-daily.comNew Nissan Leaf Finally Hits Its Stride After a Rocky StartReport on Leaf production now fully engaged at Sunderland.
- uk.nissannews.comAll-New Nissan LEAF 52kWh priced from £28,84952kWh Leaf UK price and 280-mile WLTP range.
- uk.nissannews.comAll-new Nissan LEAF 75kWh priced from £32,249 including Electric Car Grant75kWh Leaf UK price including the grant.
- electrive.comNissan UK launches 52kWh version of the LeafLaunch of the 52kWh Leaf in the UK.
- electrive.comAESC opens Gigafactory in SunderlandThe 15.8GWh first phase supplying Leaf cells.
- motortradenews.comNissan delivers 100,000th EV in the UKNissan's UK EV sales milestone.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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