Global Sales of Leaf EV Nearly Double

Nissan Motor Co. says worldwide sales of its Leaf electric car surged 93% to nearly 89,400 units in 2018, thanks to a second-generation model with extended driving range, new styling and more technology.

The bulk of the gain was in Europe, where Leaf sales totaled 40,700 units last year. This compares with just over 16,800 deliveries in 2017. Norway, which has the highest percentage of EVs in the world, saw more than a five-fold increase to more than 12,300 units.

Leaf sales in the U.S. also nearly doubled in 2018, jumping 95% to 14,700 vehicles. The year-over-year increase in Japan was a relatively modest 51% bump to more than 25,700 units.

Leaf sales are expected to continue to grow this year as Nissan rolls out more enhancements in new “e+” variants (pictured). A more powerful battery hikes the car’s range by 40% to about 240 miles.

The car also gets a more powerful motor, a touchscreen display, smartphone connectivity and over-the-air software capability. Driver-oriented goodies include Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPilot Assist system, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert and around-view display.

Nissan reports it has sold more than 380,000 Leafs worldwide since the car was launched in 2010.