The Nissan Leaf is one of the original EVs brought to market and was the first EV to reach a second generation. As a more affordable electric option for drivers, it has also proven to be very popular. There are two models, the 40kWh and the 60kWh, that have a real-world range of 160 miles and 217 miles respectively.
Nissan Leaf Plug Types
The Nissan Leaf can be charged at home, at work or at any public charger. Both Nissan Leaf models have Type 2 charging inlets that can be used for home (slow) and public (fast) chargers. The charging connection can be found at the front of the car where you would expect to see the car’s grill. Once connected, the car will then ‘talk’ to the charging unit and perform system checks over the power supply and safety of the connection. If connected to a private charge point, the vehicle will then automatically begin charging.
If connected to a public charger, you will need to use the associated RFID card or smartphone app to initiate charging. These are often on a pay-as-you-go basis and can be easily linked to an account. The same checks will then be performed by the car before charging begins.
What charging cables can I use?
The Nissan Leaf is compatible with any charger that has a Type 2 connection on the car end. This can be one of the following:
- A 3-pin plug to Type 2 cable, known as a “granny cable”, which can connect the vehicle to an existing electricity source without the need for a charging unit. These can be useful if visiting places with no other charging facilities. However, they tend to be less efficient than other cables and should be used with caution. It is recommended that these only be used on homes with modern electrical wiring, or after an electrician has inspected the home if you plan on long-term use.
- An untethered “Type 2 to Type 2” cable can be connected to home chargers to deliver slow charging or connected to public chargers to deliver fast charging. You can also use a “Universal to Type 2” for the same purpose. Most of our home charge solutions are compatible with both charger types but it is best to check before ordering.
- Finally, a tethered Type 2 cable is connected to public rapid chargers which deliver up to 150kW of power to charge the vehicle at a much faster rate. However, some standard models of Leaf are not compatible with rapid charging and this should be checked with the dealership or in the handbook.
How long does it take to charge a Nissan leaf?
The following table gives a breakdown of the charging time from fully depleted to 100% charge. However, we should note that it is not desirable to allow your charger to become empty or to charge above 80% as this can reduce battery life longer term.
| Charge Type | Power | Full Charge Time |
| Slow | 3kW | 14 hrs |
| Fast | 7kW | 6 hrs |
| Fast | 22kW | 6 hrs |
| Rapid | 50kW | 40 mins |
Note that the 7kW and 22kW chargers have the same charge time. This is because the Leaf is fitted with a 6.6kW on-board charger. Therefore, it will only be able to charge at 6.6kW even when connected to a fast charger above this level. The same does not apply for rapid charging as the interaction with the car is different.
How much does it cost to charge a Nissan leaf?
The Nissan leaf has a 40kWh battery. Therefore, based on the average UK electricity cost of 14.37p per kWh, the total costs of charging at home will be £5.75. This means that the average cost per mile is 3.5p.
Fast public chargers are often free, even if provided by private companies. However, you will have to pay for a rapid charger, and these are usually around 30p per kWh. The costs to charge up to the recommended 80% would be £9.60. Therefore, average cost per mile would be 7.5p.
Let’s look at that over the course of a year and compare to a petrol Ford Focus:
| Mileage | Nissan Leaf | Ford Focus Petrol |
| 30,000 | £1,050 | £2,700 |
| 20,000 | £700 | £1,800 |
| 10,000 | £350 | £900 |
| 8,000 | £280 | £720 |
| 5,000 | £175 | £450 |
Clearly, while the charging costs of the Nissan Leaf are not negligible, they are significantly lower than the traditional petrol alternative. Moreover, regular use of public fast chargers could save you money or use of rapid chargers could costs more. In reality, you are likely to use a combination of all three to fit into your lifestyle.
What grants is the Nissan leaf eligible for?
The Nissan leaf is eligible for the OLEV Plug-in Car Grant and the EVHS Grant in England and Wales, or EST Domestic Charge Point Grant in Scotland. For more information on grants, visit here.
If you are interested in the Nissan Leaf and would like to know more about charging options, please get in touch. A member of our technical team would be happy to answer any questions that you have.
