Nissan LEAF: energy use, battery size and what it costs to charge

EPA figures for 2024, 2025, 2026 Nissan LEAF (5 configurations), plus the cost to charge at home in every U.S. state at May 2026 electricity prices.

The Nissan LEAF uses 27.86 kWh per 100 miles. Across the 223 electric cars on sale that figure runs from 23.1 to 66.1, which puts this one among the more efficient.

How much does it cost to charge a Nissan LEAF?

At the U.S. average residential price of 19.42¢ per kWh, a Nissan LEAF costs about $5.41 per 100 miles, $14.76 for a full charge, and $649 a year at 12,000 miles. The same car costs $438 a year in Nevada and $1,763 in Hawaii — a 4.0× difference driven entirely by where you plug in.

Nissan LEAF vs. a petrol car

A typical new gasoline small wagon returns 29 MPG. At $4.32 a gallon — the U.S. average for the week of 2026-09-14, up 14.3% on the year — that is $14.89 per 100 miles against $5.41 for the Nissan LEAF on average-priced electricity. Over 12,000 miles the fuel difference is $1,138 a year in favour of the electric car.

Cost to charge a Nissan LEAF in every state

Every Nissan LEAF configuration compared

Questions people ask about the Nissan LEAF

How many kWh per 100 miles does a Nissan LEAF use?

The Nissan LEAF uses 27.86 kWh per 100 miles on the EPA combined cycle, which works out to 3.59 miles per kWh. Across all 5 EPA-rated configurations it ranges from 27.86 to 32.72 kWh per 100 miles.

How big is the Nissan LEAF battery?

Its usable battery capacity works out to roughly 76 kWh. EPA does not publish battery size directly, so this is calculated from EPA range (303 miles) and rated energy use, corrected for charging losses — expect a few kWh of error against the manufacturer figure.

How much does it cost to charge a Nissan LEAF at home?

About $14.76 for a full charge at the U.S. average residential electricity price of 19.42¢ per kWh, or $5.41 per 100 miles. Over a year at 12,000 miles that is $649. In Nevada the same driving costs $438; in Hawaii it costs $1,763.

How long does a Nissan LEAF take to charge on a 240V charger?

EPA rates it at about 12 hours for a full charge on a 240-volt (Level 2) charger. A standard 120-volt household outlet takes roughly five to six times longer; DC fast charging is far quicker but costs considerably more per kWh than charging at home.

Is a Nissan LEAF cheaper to run than a gasoline car?

On fuel alone, yes. A Nissan LEAF costs about $5.41 per 100 miles in electricity. A typical new gasoline small wagon manages 29 MPG, which at $4.32 a gallon costs $14.89 per 100 miles — $9.48 more. Over 12,000 miles the difference is $1,138 a year in the EV's favour. This compares fuel only — not insurance, depreciation, maintenance or your state's EV registration fee.

Cars to compare it with

Almost identical energy use

These use within a fraction of a kWh per 100 miles of the Nissan LEAF, so running cost is effectively a wash between them — the decision comes down to everything else.

Other electric small wagons

• Chevrolet BOLT — 28.09 kWh/100mi
• Cadillac CELESTIQ — 41.61 kWh/100mi

Other Nissan electric cars

• ARIYA — 33.37 kWh/100mi
• ARIYA ENGAGE — 33.37 kWh/100mi
• ARIYA ENGAGE /EVOLVE — 36.64 kWh/100mi
• ARIYA EVOLVE — 34.39 kWh/100mi
• ARIYA EVOLVE /EMPOWER — 34.39 kWh/100mi
• ARIYA PLATINUM — 37.45 kWh/100mi
• ARIYA VENTURE — 32.72 kWh/100mi
• LEAF SV — 30.92 kWh/100mi

Where these numbers come from

Energy use per 100 miles is 3,370.5 ÷ MPGe, because EPA defines MPGe against 33.705 kWh per gasoline gallon equivalent. EPA meters that energy at the wall, so charging losses are already included.

Usable battery size is EPA range × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 × 0.90. The 0.90 corrects for the fact that EPA measures energy at the wall but measures range from the pack; without it the estimate runs about 10% high. It is an estimate, not a manufacturer specification — expect a few kWh of error either way.

Cost assumes home charging at the state's average residential electricity price (EIA, May 2026) and 12,000 miles a year. Public DC fast charging costs considerably more; time-of-use plans can cost less.

The petrol comparison uses the median combined MPG of current regular-gasoline, non-hybrid cars in this car's own EPA vehicle class — not an all-car average — priced at the U.S. average retail price from the EIA weekly series. It counts fuel only.