Overview
Nissan has indefinitely delayed a lower-priced Leaf variant that was slated for 2026, according to The Drive’s The Downshift. The move removes Nissan from the race for the least expensive new EV in the U.S. next year and shifts attention to rivals targeting budget-minded buyers.
Nissan’s Delay and the Budget EV Race
The canceled model, informally referred to as the Leaf S, was expected to sit below today’s Leaf S+ (about $30,000, per The Drive), trading a smaller battery and shorter range for a lower price. The Downshift reports Nissan intended the Leaf S to undercut GM’s revived Chevrolet Bolt to claim the cheapest-EV title, but that plan is now on hold with no new timeline provided. For now, the Leaf S+ remains Nissan’s entry point.
Market Dynamics and Cost Pressures
The pause underscores how hard it is to push EV prices down while maintaining range, performance, and safety amid persistent battery and manufacturing costs. As an example of these trade-offs, The Drive notes Ford’s forthcoming ~$30,000 electric pickup will use LFP batteries—chosen for cost and longevity despite lower energy density—requiring heavier, larger packs that pose significant engineering challenges.
Shifts Across the Industry
- GM: The Bolt is set for a return after the 2023 discontinuation, with industry focus on how aggressively it will be priced.
- Stellantis: The Downshift reports the company is likely to log its first annual operating loss since 2021, tied to EV write-downs, and still hasn’t decided the future of its Brampton Assembly Plant.
- Polestar: CEO Michael Loscheller aims to lean more consistently into performance, including acceleration and track capability.
- McMurtry: The Spéirling has entered production with deliveries expected this summer.
- Aston Martin: Chairman Lawrence Stroll is executing intragroup financing moves to sustain operations during a brand turnaround.
- Audi: Rouven Mohr replaces Geoffrey Bouquot as head of technical development amid ongoing tech-roadmap refinement.
What It Means for Shoppers
The pool of sub-$30,000 EVs expected in 2026 looks thinner. With the cheaper Leaf delayed, budget-focused buyers may pivot to GM’s next Bolt and Ford’s value-oriented truck. Nissan’s role in the entry-level segment is less certain until it can finalize a new plan.
What to Watch Next
- GM’s pricing and timing for the revived Bolt.
- Ford’s detailed specs and trade-offs for its low-cost LFP-based pickup.
- Stellantis’ results and any decision on Brampton Assembly Plant operations.
- Any revised timeline from Nissan on a cheaper Leaf variant.
- Broader cost trends in batteries and supply chains that determine attainable MSRPs.
