Import a Nissan LEAF ZE1 62 kWh from Japan

[Shane & Karen Maher]

Yayyyy, we just won an auction in Nagoya Japan. A 2019 Nissan LEAF ZE1 e+ X (62kWh with 97.58 SOH), 12000km's
Got it for 2.425 Million yen, roughly just under $47000 landed in Aussie. Will pickup from compliance in Sydney, in August sometime?

We have setup a Twitter page EV4ME (@ev4me2), to show everybody our journey importing a EV from Japan. The paperwork, the emails, etc. When things have to be done, we will tweet what we have done. All in chronological order.
We have also setup a youtube channel EV4ME, showing our journey as well. (Upload every couple of weeks)

This is not about the car, its an idiot's guide (Me being the idiot) to the process. It will be somewhere in between a success or failure...
Imagine not having much money, and being able to purchase a 40kWh LEAF from Japan for between $34k-$37k. Instead of buying a new one for $54k. Or even better, a 30kWh LEAF between $19k-$24k

Not everybody has a lot of money. This is another way of buying a second hand LEAF, even when there is a very, very small second hand market locally.
It's all about getting more everyday people in EV's cheaply. Its about equality to access new technology...
Check it out if interested.

Youtube:
EV4ME Youtube


Twitter:
@ev4me2

Cheers Shane and Kaz

[wfdTamar]

Theres a 2018 (presumably 40 kWh) ex demo Leaf on Carsales now for $37,500. Has done 6300km. Has the factory 5 year warranty.

The extra range and power in what you got sounds worth the extra if it's your only car, but a lot of people could manage with one of the 'smaller' ones if they have another ICE car.

[shane]

Yeah, good point wfdTamar.
We would like it to eventually replace our ICE. But will see what happens when we get it.A 62kWh LEAF, should give us a Cold/Conservative range of 300 km's
As long as EV can get us from Canberra to Wagga, Canberra to Newcastle every couple of months. Would be happier if the was CHAdeMO in Wagga Wagga or an extra few in Sydney.

[Deleted]

www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2020-Nissan-LEAF-e+-X-ZE1-Auto/OAG-AD-18609810

LEAF 2.0 e+

Best thing about Japan LEAF 2 import is the electronic park brake
Aussie LEAF 2’s have foot park brake

[shane]

Great point g4qber, totally forgot about that! We test drove an Aussie LEAF 6 months ago and noticed the silly foot operated park brake.

[chickenman]

We just bought a 2019 Demo Leaf. 5,000 km and the changeover suggests they are very keen to get them out the door. Seems to be plenty in that 37-40k driveaway price range.
I think the dealers are pretty sick of having them sitting around and will trade your mother in law to get rid of their Leafs!

[chickenman]

I don't get peoples concern about the foot park brake.  We have one in our Ioniq and neither me or the missus have ever used it.  Just park in Park.  Had to just ask her as I wasn't even sure if it was the Ioniq which shows how obtrusive it is.  Am expecting the same non issue with the Leaf.
The backwards gear lever is a greater concern but it is just something to get used to. 

[Feng]

From what I know the foot brake/handbrake mechanically engages the car's rear disk brakes and the park brake engages a parking pawl in the gearbox. You don't want to use the latter as the primary way to prevent a car from moving especially on a hill. I don't know if it'll wear or break the pawl over time, maybe there's something on Youtube that'll better explain it. Personally I engage the handbrake, put the car into neutral, take my foot off the brake pedal to let the car settle and then turn the car off. The Leaf automatically engages the park brake when it turns off.

[brunohill]

62 kWh LEAF to be sold here next year.
www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/nissan-leaf-e-plus-confirmed-for-first-half-of-next-year?fbclid=IwAR2oxYzzf6FQRn3ZMwIIidWJF26MPOxPWiV-4LxpOrbAzKgqaG9nHjNeMuE
 I almost bought an imported 62 kWh LEAF a month ago but ended up buying a Kona. It is locked down in Melbourne and I am locked out of Melbourne.
 At least this LEAF (battery) can be fairly compared to other vehicles like 60 kWh  Teslas and Bolts as it won't be cycled as deeply as the smaller batteries. 

[jaginoz]

Wish we had known of this forum before committing to our second hand purchase via a direct import dealer (hindsight etc). Looking at comments the deal we thought we had wasn't such a good deal, but having said that, for a lot of people who signed up for the new vehicles back in 2011/12, with battery bars falling now and Nissan Australia not being terribly supportive, we can hope for battery replacement options as ours starts to give up the ghost (hopefully not too soon!).

All the best with the 2019 62Kw Leaf!