Nissan Leaf I (ZE0) photos

Introduced in late 2010, the first-generation Nissan Leaf (internal code ZE0) marked a historic milestone for the Japanese automaker as the world's first purpose-built, mass-produced electric vehicle, succeeding earlier experimental fleet-only EVs. Built on a dedicated Nissan EV platform derived from the company's compact car architecture, the vehicle housed its laminated lithium-ion battery pack beneath the passenger compartment floor, creating a low center of gravity and preserving cabin space for five occupants. The model was offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback featuring distinctive aerodynamic styling, including prominent vertical headlights specifically shaped to deflect airflow away from the door mirrors to reduce wind noise and drag. Power came from a front-mounted synchronous electric motor (initially coded EM61) producing 80 kW (107 hp) and 280 Nm of torque, mated to a single-speed reduction gear driving the front wheels, initially paired with a 24 kWh battery pack. For the 2013 model year, the Leaf received a major technical revision (often referred to as AZE0), which integrated the electric motor (updated to the EM57 unit), inverter, and onboard charger into a single stack under the hood, increasing cargo volume while introducing an optional hybrid heat pump heating system and a stronger B-mode for regenerative braking. A subsequent update for the 2016 model year introduced a higher-capacity 30 kWh battery pack alongside upgraded infotainment software, noticeably extending the practical driving range. Primary sales markets included Japan, the United States, and Europe, with manufacturing eventually expanding from Oppama, Japan, to Smyrna, Tennessee, and Sunderland, United Kingdom, making the ZE0 the best-selling electric car globally during its production run.