By FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL, MOTORING REPORTER
Nissan has angered drivers of some of its earliest electric vehicles by turning off the app that allows them to remotely control the car's functions.
The NissanConnect EV app 'ceased operation' today (30 March 2026) for drivers of Leaf cars made before May 2019, as well as the e-NV200 van.
The Leaf was the first mass-market electric car, first going on sale back in 2009.
Drivers of these EVs will not be able to remotely control battery charging, pre-heating functions, and some map functions in a major blow that will make parts of the ownership experience redundant.
Up until now, customers had been paying a monthly subscription for access to the remote connectivity services.
In an email issued to affected customers, Nissan said: 'We want to reassure you that the key features such as the Climate Control Timer and Charging Timer are accessible directly from your car’s Navigation Infotainment System.'
Japanese car maker Nissan has informed customers its NissanConnect EV app will 'cease operation' from 30 March for drivers of Leaf cars made before May 2019 and the e-NV200 van
Drivers have been posting in online forums to share their anger at the situation.
One user said: 'It really sucks to be honest that cars that are as young as seven years old are having key functionality disabled with one months notice, in essence because Nissan is too lazy or stingy to keep the service running.'
This is the second time Nissan has put itself in hot water with owners over discontinuing aspects of its remote connectivity technology.
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In 2024, the Japanese brand removed its first-generation Leaf EVs from its NissanConnect EV app due to the UK's 2G network switching off.
Nissan said at the time: 'The NissanConnect EV app currently linked to Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles produced up until 2016 will shut down from 1 April 2024 in preparation of the 2G technology sunset.'
Owners of Leaf models no longer supported by the smartphone application accused the car brand of 'dumping its pioneers'.
According to registrations data, there are around 24,000 Leafs on the road in the UK produced before 2019 and therefore likely impacted.
The application allows drivers to remotely control battery charging and pre-heating functions. It also had some map functions that will no longer be available to customers in a major blow
Nissan has - like before - attempted to reassure owners by saying that most of the smart app functions can still be used via the car's in-car screen.
But this has done little to dim the annoyance of drivers because, as one user said, there is 'no more custom charge limiter, home assistant dashboard, no more remote preheat'.
Daily Mail and This is Money has approached Nissan for comment on the matter.
The news follows the rollout of the new Nissan Leaf.
Nissan launched its third generation Leaf last year, with orders opening in December 2025 and first deliveries arriving last month.
The completely overhauled EV is part of the beleaguered Japanese car maker's cost-saving plan announced in May 2025 that includes shutting seven production plants and cutting 20,000 jobs globally.
The car giant posted a record net loss of £3.8billion last year and has since gone on a new productive offensive, which also includes the new Micra EV and a forthcoming electric Juke, which - like the Leaf - will be produced at the UK plant in Sunderland.
