2026 Nissan Leaf: New-generation EV delayed ‘indefinitely’

Plans to bring the new Nissan Leaf to Australia have been paused “indefinitely”.

Almost exactly a year ago, Nissan announced it would be launching the third-generation electric Leaf in 2026 – following the unveiling of the new model, which has evolved from a hatchback into an SUV – but the company now says it’s changing course.

Outgoing managing director for Nissan Oceania, Andrew Humberstone, confirmed the company was “looking at an indefinite delay on Leaf,” but stopped short of saying whether plans to introduce the electric vehicle (EV) had been axed completely.

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“For us, at the moment, the timing’s not right – so it’s an indefinite postponement, so to speak, of introducing that product – simply because it’s such a competitive space at the moment,” he told CarExpert.

“And actually, we see customers resonating in this e-Power space and hybrid space.”

While other car manufacturers offer hybrid powertrains that can propel the vehicle with either electric or petrol power, Nissan’s own e-Power system uses the petrol engine as a generator, feeding electric motors that drive the wheels.

Following the popularity of its e-Power models and a lacklustre uptake of EVs, Nissan now appears to be changing tack.

With just 127 sales recorded from the launch of the electric Nissan Ariya in September 2025 to the end of the calendar year, Mr Humberstone suggested Nissan’s Australian arm was exercising some caution about rushing full-speed into the electric space.

“I think the market is so fluid at the moment,” he explained.

“And we have quite a clear vision now on where we think it’s going to go and where consumers are going.”

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