Nissan’s global electric vehicle sales jumped 10 per cent last fiscal year, driven by growing customer demand for the zero-emission Nissan LEAF, the world’s best-selling EV.

The 100 per cent electric car posted robust growth across all the major electric-vehicle markets – Japan, Europe and the U.S. – in the fiscal year that ended March 31. Demand is expected to keep rising as customers embrace the new, second-generation Nissan LEAF, which offers increased range and new, advanced technologies.

Sales of the redesigned model, introduced in October 2017, are gaining traction in Japan and the U.S. The all-new Nissan LEAF is set to go on sale in Australia this year.

“The strong performance of Nissan’s EV models globally is a testimony to our expertise and leadership in electric vehicle technology,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci, who heads the company’s electric-vehicle business. The unprecedented response to the most advanced electric car in the world, the Nissan LEAF, contributed significantly to the robust growth of Nissan in 2017. The Nissan LEAF is the best-selling electric car in the world, with the widest reach and the greatest availability. We expect its continuous leadership in 2018.”

Customers bought 54,451 Nissan LEAFs in fiscal year 2017, a 15 per cent increase from 47,423 a year earlier. Nissan has sold more than 320,000 LEAFs since the model was first introduced in 2010. It is now available in 51 markets worldwide.

The new Nissan LEAF was also named “2018 World Green Car” by the World Car Awards in March.

Credit: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.