Skip to Content

How Long Does It Take to Charge a Nissan Leaf?

Owning an electric car like a Nissan Leaf is great until you need to wait for it to charge. Unlike petrol cars, you will need to wait around for them to gain enough power for your ongoing journey. It can take longer depending on your charging choice. 

How long it takes to charge your Nissan Leaf will depend on the charger you are using. For a Level 1 charger, you are looking at up to 24 hours for a full charge. With a Level 2 charger it should take about 7-11 hours. For those lucky enough to have a Level 3 charger, it takes 60 minutes.

Whether you are charging the car at home or out on the road at a charging station, always follow recommendations to ensure you charge the car safely and sufficiently. Let’s look at all the information you need to know about charging a Nissan Leaf.

How To Charge A Nissan Leaf

Charging nissan leaf

Before we get started on how long it takes to charge a Nissan Leaf and the various charging and cost options, it is essential to know how to charge the car. 

It is possible to charge your Nissan Leaf on the go at dedicated electric charging stations, or at home. Whichever is more convenient for you.

Charging on the Go

The way you charge your Nissan Leaf on the go will depend on the charger you find. Different chargers have different instructions. For most stations, you will need to pay for and sit and wait. Yet, these stations are often more powerful than charging at your house, so you shouldn’t need to wait too long.

To charge the car ensure to turn the car off. Then:

  1. Open the charging port.
  2. Plug in the connector and the Leaf will beep to assure you it is charging.
  3. The car will stop charging on its own when it is full.

Charging at Home

To charge your Nissan Leaf at home, you simply need to follow the same instructions as with a charger on the go. It is advised to charge the car in a dedicated outlet where no other electrical devices are plugged in. 

For the everyday Level 1 charger, connect the charging cord to the charging port and the three-prong plug to a 120-volt outlet. For charging directions and safety considerations, consult the owner’s manual. 

Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) wall units and 220-240-volt outlets must be properly installed if you’re using a Level 2 charger at home.

How Long Does It Take to Charge a Nissan Leaf? 

The sort of charger you use, the battery capacity, the temperature, and other variables all have an impact on how long it takes to charge your Nissan Leaf.

Level 1 (120-V)

Although Level 1 charging is the slowest option, it easily enables you to briefly plug into a regular 120-V outlet for charging when you’re short on time. 

Level 2 (220-240-V)

Depending on the size of your battery, a Level 2 charger (for 240-V home and public charging) can completely power your Leaf in between 7.5 and 11 hours. 

Nissan Leaf’s with 40 kWh batteries charge completely in about 7.5 hours, while Nissan Leaf’s with 60 kWh batteries require about 11 hours. 

Level 3 (480-V)

The Leaf can be completely charged in 40 to 60 minutes using level 3 DC public fast chargers. It charges more quicker depending on the capacity of the battery. 

Some factors can affect the Leaf’s charging capabilities:

  • Time of day – more energy is drawn from the grid at certain points of the day. Charging in peak hours could slow your charging time.
  • Temperature – batteries that are cold can take longer to charge. Hence, the colder it is, the longer your Leaf might take to charge.
  • How many electrics are charging– if you are trying to charge multiple electrics alongside your car, it will slow down the charging capabilities. 

What Are the Charging Options for a Nissan Leaf? 

There are three efficient ways to charge a Nissan Leaf. These include:

  1. At-home charging. Everyone knows you can charge your Leaf at home using a 120-V outlet like this one (on Amazon). These are slower than other charging options yet more convenient for many people.
  2. Using a LEaf charging station. There are dedicated Nissan Leaf charging stations. These use a 6.6kW charger with a quick charge port for fast charging.
  3. Fast chargers. The quicker and most efficient way to charge your Nissan Leaf is using a Level 3 (480-V) fast charger. Fast chargers can be found in public places like shopping centers, workplace buildings, and supermarkets, just like other public charging stations.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Nissan Leaf? 

Electric cars are cost-saving on a daily basis. They are cheaper to run as electricity is more affordable than petrol. 

Depending on where you live, the cost to charge the car varies. On average, it will cost an owner around $6. The prices range from $3 to $10. 

The cheapest state to charge a Nissan Leaf is Washington where it will cost around $3. The most expensive state to charge the car is Hawaii where it will cost about $10. 

How Does the Nissan Leaf Charging Times Compare to Other BEVs? 

Charging nissan leaf

Most electric cars will charge quicker using fast chargers and slower at home. The charging capabilities rely on the power of the outlet. 

In comparison to a Tesla Model 3, the Nissan Leaf compares well. A Tesla will take the same time to charge on a Level 1 outlet. Yet, the Tesla will be slightly faster to charge on a Level 3 outlet, as it takes a maximum of 20 minutes in comparison to the Leaf’s 60 minutes. 

Considering that the Nissan Leaf is an affordable electric car, it weighs up well for its charging time. It is more cost-effective and the waiting time is not dreadful. 

temp mail

Tuesday 12th of November 2024

"What a gem I've discovered! The thoroughness of your research combined with your engaging writing style makes this post exceptional. You've earned a new regular reader!"

temp mail

Tuesday 12th of November 2024

"Mind = blown! 🌟 This is exactly the comprehensive breakdown I needed. Your expertise shines through in every paragraph. Thanks for sharing such well-researched content."

temp mail

Tuesday 12th of November 2024

"Mind = blown! 🌟 This is exactly the comprehensive breakdown I needed. Your expertise shines through in every paragraph. Thanks for sharing such well-researched content."

temp mail

Thursday 7th of November 2024

Your blog is a breath of fresh air in the often stagnant world of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

healxo

Wednesday 6th of November 2024

Your blog is a testament to your dedication to your craft. Your commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of your writing. Thank you for being such a positive influence in the online community.