Overview

• Nissan will open domestic orders for the third-generation Leaf on October 17, with deliveries starting in January 2026 after the first full redesign since 2017.
• The new model switches from a hatchback to an SUV, targets up to 702 kilometers per charge, and can fast charge from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes.
• Japan pricing starts at ¥5,188,700, and a senior Nissan executive characterized the car as a comeback-defining strategic model.
• Toyota and Sumitomo Metal Mining signed a joint development agreement to mass-produce cathode materials for solid-state EV batteries following collaborative research since around 2021.
• The companies target practical use around 2027–28 after reporting durability gains in the cathode material, as Japan’s EV share remains under 2% and BYD plans lower-priced models in 2026.