Nissan Leaf Heads for the Off-Ramp, Will Reportedly Be Phased Out

• The Nissan Leaf was the first modern, mass-produced electric vehicle to reach the U.S. market, arriving in the 2011 model year.

• Reports say production of the Leaf is to be phased out sometime in the mid-decade.
  

• Although the Leaf's chapter is drawing to a close, Nissan projects that 40 percent of its U.S. sales will be EVs by 2030.
  

No car stays around forever, even if we hope some of them do (see Porsche 911). From the looks of things, there is another car whose appointment with the gallows pole is drawing near. Automotive News reported that the Nissan Leaf will be phased out over a period of the next few years even as Nissan ushers in an arsenal of fresh EVs—starting with the new Ariya.

When it came to market in the 2011 model year, the Nissan Leaf was the first modern, mass-produced electric vehicle in the U.S. It was inexpensive, had funky styling, and was an exciting look into the future of electric cars. The issue was that it didn't sell well. Although the Leaf has been part of Nissan's U.S. lineup for a dozen years now, fewer than 175,000 units have been sold.