Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Rose Morah
When it comes to driving a Nissan Leaf there are many factors that you need to consider in order to get the best experience from this type of EV.
Therefore, this article comes in handy with recommended charging guide for Nissan Leaf as well as the best tips for charging and conserving range on Nissan Leaf.
Additionally, I will also cover the cost of charging Nissan Leaf at home by providing data of the cost of charging from home provided by Nissan Leaf owners.
Related: How To Check Nissan Leaf Battery Health (Battery Degradation Status).
Tips for conserving range on Nissan Leaf
- When driving, stick to echo mode (economic mode) and avoid normal mode. Echo mode will help conserve range compared to normal mode.
- Watch your speed when driving. The range indicator usually adjusts to your driving style.
- Avoid using the A/C or heating.
Att: These tips and other factors are what determine how long the Nissan leaf battery will stay charged.
Other factors that will affect range include :
- Temperature
- Type of road e. t. c
Nissan Leaf adjusts to your driving and the weather conditions. Don’t expect much precision from it.
see also:
What To Know Before Buying a Nissan Leaf.
What To Check Before Buying A Used Nissan Leaf.
Types of EV Charging and EV Plugs.
Types of electric vehicles (EVs) and which one you should buy.
Calculating the cost of charging a Nissan Leaf
Here are 2 main factors to consider when working out the cost of charging your EV.
- Where you charge
- When you charge
- Where you charge
Are you charging from home or at public chargers?
Charging at home can at times be cheaper, especially if you are charging during the off-peak hours and vice versa.
Charging your Nissan Leaf at public chargers is also very cheap if most of your charging is done on free chargers.
However, depending on the type of charger and whether you are charged for the time spent to charge or kWh.T, charging at the public chargers can be expensive.
This means that if you’re charged for the time spent to charge or kWh.T, it may be expensive to charge your Nissan Leaf if the EV is taking in less energy.
- When you charge
The cost of charging varies throughout the day. Most of the time, the cheapest time to charge is at night (off-peak), in most locations.
To work out the cost of charging, you will need to know:
- The size of the battery in kWh.
- The cost of electricity cents per kWh.
Battery x Electricity rate = Cost (subtract battery degradation).
| -You can calculate the cost of charging at public chargers via trip planner apps, e. g zap map, Plugshare e. t.c Most apps are able to give you the cost based on your preferred destination. -When charging at home, you can set your car to only charge during the off-peak time. This way you will not only save on the charging cost, but you will also give your EV time to cool down before it automatically starts to charge again later. |
See the Best Charging Apps For Nissan Leaf.
Charging vs gas which is more expensive?
From experience, charging has been cheaper compared to gas.
1. Charging at home can be about 1/3rd the cost of gas.
Most EV owners have reported that on their most expensive months of charging their Nissan Leaf, they spent around $40 – $50 per month of 425kWh used.
Drivers who live in places that do not have off-peak times and electricity cost is high spend up to $60 per month.
Additionally, most Nissan leaf owners also reported spending $15 – $20 per month during their cheapest month, and the average charging cost for a year was $30 per month. This data is from Nissan Leaf owners who drive around 40-50 miles daily.
2. Charging at Level 2 public chargers always comes to about 1/2 to about 3/4 of the cost of gas
3. Charging at Level 3 DC quick chargers is usually the expensive option, so it is in most cases slightly more expensive than gas.
| Note: Different locations have different electricity rates. Hence these findings are not the same for all Nissan Leaf vehicles. However, charging is always cheaper than gas. |
See also:
How Long Does it Take To Charge Chevy Bolt? (Complete Charging Guide).
What to know before Running an EV Charging Cable Across The Pavement.
Nissan Leaf charging limitations
Most drivers who have Nissan Leaf are always faced with the challenge of the battery getting too warm which limits how fast it charges.
This is because the Nissan Leaf does not have a battery cooling system. So, when you charge faster you build up more heat.
If you’re charging at public chargers that charge you for the time you’re taking to charge then it will be expensive. This is because the EV is taking in less energy.
So, it goes without saying that Nissan Leaf is hence not the best EV for going on a road trip because you cannot fast charge it more than once a day.
However, it is great if you plan on driving it on short/reasonable distances and as long as you follow the following 5 Nissan Leaf charging recommendations:
- Always let it cool down after driving before you start charging.
- Avoid charging your Nissan Leaf during high ambient temperatures. This means that if it is very hot outside, you can avoid charging it or wait and charge it when it is not hot. Alternatively, charge it overnight. On a similar note, avoid level 3 charging when in direct sunlight or when it is hot.
- If you plan on parking your Nissan Leaf for long hours, ensure that it has a 20% to 80% charge. Most recommended is about 50%.
- When using public chargers that charge based on time, charge up to 80% to save up on the cost.
- Use EV road trip planner apps, to check which chargers have the lowest rates or are free to charge en route to your destination.
See also: How To Use Leaf Spy Lite and Pro on Nissan Leaf (Complete Guide).
You may like these 5 Nissan Leaf Tips For New Owners.
So, what’s the future of the Nissan Leaf?
After having been famously criticized for its battery, Nissan Leaf will finally be getting the HV battery (16 Blade) it deserves. The battery is expected to be:
- Long-Lasting.
- High Performing.
- The battery uses a highly advanced active thermal management system.
This promises a bright future for Nissan Leaf!
