The Best Nissan Leaf Charging Guide
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Nissan Charging Guide

With running costs as low as £2.70 per 100 km and 40% reduction in maintenance costs to worry about, the Nissan LEAF reinforces itself as the best-selling electric vehicle in the world! The cost to run this model is some of the lowest in the electrical vehicle class. Imagine waking up every day to a car with a full tank, that's all charged and ready with a range of 235 miles. Charging the Leaf is quick, simple and safe, and it comes with the 3 charging functions below. These apply to cars with 24kWh and 30 kWh batteries.

For more helpful information regarding electric vehicles, we have put together a fully electric vehicle FAQs page. Here we will answer the most frequently asked questions that people have around electric vehicles. 


How to get the most from each charge

The Nissan LEAF comes with a range of battery extending features like:

  • Eco Mode: Limits motors output by cutting back on things like air conditioning and employing features like regenerative braking.

  • B Mode: Gives more aggressive regenerative braking to charge the battery.



Nissan LEAF Charging

There are three main ways to charge your LEAF.

  • Rapid Charger - 30 minutes

Every LEAF has a Rapid Charging Port, which allows you to connect up to a rapid charger and reach up to 80% charge in 30 minutes. This is the fastest means of charging available and is ideal for when you need to top quickly or you are on a long journey. The Rapid Charge Port is located just left of the standard charging port and allows you to plug in at public rapid charger stations.

  • Home Charging Unit - from 4 hours

Using a 32A home charging unit means you can charge your LEAF up overnight to reach a full charge in approximately 7 hours (24kWh) or 9 ½ hours (30kWh). Looking for something a bit quicker? Add in the optional 6.6kWh onboard charger to reduce the charge time to as little as 4 hours!

  • Plug into the mains - 12 to 15 hours

The most traditional way of charging it with the supplied cable, which plugs directly into a regular domestic supply allowing you to charge from any standard wall socket.



NissanConnect EV System

The NissanConnect EV system means that you can keep in touch with your LEAF. This new and innovative technology links you to your LEAF via your smartphone, tablet or computer. You can schedule or activate a charge, monitor the charge level and range or even pre-heat your vehicle from your device.



Where to charge

'Filling up' will never be the same as the brand new LEAF. All you have to do is, plugin, give the battery some time to charge up and you’re good to go for 124 miles (kWh) or for up to 155 miles (30kWh).

  • 32A Home Charging Unit

If you're looking to charge your LEAF in the convenience of your own driveway or garage the 32A Home Charging Unit is a must. It means that there is no need for separate cables as the unit includes the cable and connector as one. The charging station is great, all you need to do is make sure you have it installed by a qualified electrician. A 'wall box' is the quick and easy way to charge your lithium-ion battery. We will help refer you to one of a Home Charger suppliers who will provide you with a precise quote and the installation comes with a warranty and access to a helpline.

  • Mains supply

If you do not have a charging unit or don't have access to a dedicated charging station than conventional mains charging is for you! The LEAF comes with a standard charging cable (EVSE) for regular three-pin plugs for charging anywhere with a 10A socket. The use of the circuit for your chosen socket is recommended. Opt for the 6.6kWh onboard charger and you'll also get a 7-pin mode 3 type 3 cable, which works on the compatible fast charger.

  • Charging on the road

Public charging stations are fast! They use high-voltage DC power, charging your LEAF at one of these is quick and quite often free too! They are located at most motorway service stations and Nissan dealers. The number of charging stations is a network that is continuing to grow with impressive momentum meaning you should never be caught short!

Trickle Charge or Domestic Charge

The Trickle charge function can be performed using the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, also known as EVSE that comes as standard with the LEAF. It takes approximately 21 hours for models with a 24kWh battery, and approximately 26 hours with a 30kWh (charging time may vary depending on your vehicle). If your LEAF is equipped with a quick charging function, you will use the port on the right for charging.

To begin trickle/domestic charging:

  1. Make sure that the vehicle is in the park, apply the parking brake and place the power switch in the off position.

  2. Unlock the charge port and open it by sliding your hand under the lid and raising it until it locks into position.

  3. Remove the EVSE from the bag, and connect it's plug to an available dedicated 110-120volt, 15amp or 20amp electrical outlet. The green light on the EVSE will illuminate.

  4. Open the port on the car and open the safety cap from the charge connector. Then, plug it into the charge port on the vehicle.

  5. Once it's properly connected, a beep will sound once. If charging has started or if the battery is waiting for a preset charging timer, it will beep twice and the charging indicator light will change. The orange light on the EVSE illuminates when charging is active and the green light remains on.


Charging will not start when the LEAF is on.

  1. Make sure that the charger connector lock is not engaged.

  2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock, then remove it from the port.

  3. Re-attach the safety cap to the EVSE, and unplug the unit from the dedicated electricity outlet. Store the EVSE back in its case and put it back in the boot area.

  4. Finally, close the cap on the charge port on the LEAF and close the charge port lid.

  5. Trickle charging can be used with the immediate charge, remote charge and charge timer functions.

Normal charge

The normal charging function is performed using a charger installed in your home that is hard-wired into a dedicated circuit. Charging takes approximately 4-hours with a 24kWh battery and between 5.5 hours up to 9.5 hours to charge models with a 30 kWh battery. Depending on your LEAF's equipment, your charging time may vary. If your vehicle is equipped with a quick charge function, you will use the port on the right for normal charging.

Charging instructions:

  1. Ensure that the vehicle is in park and apply the parking brake and place the power switch in the off position.

  2. Unlock the charge port and then open it by sliding your hand under the lid and raise it until it locks in place.

  3. Open the charge port cap, then plug the charger connector into the port on your vehicle.

  4. When it is properly connected, a beep will sound once.

  5. If charging has started, or if the battery is waiting for a preset charging timer, a beep will sound twice and the charging status light indicator will change.


Charging will not start if the LEAF is on, however charging will continue if the vehicle is turned on during the charging operations. To stop charging:

  1. Ensure that the charger connector lock is not engaged.

  2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock then remove the charger connector from the port,

  3. Close the cap on the charge port, then close the charge port lid.

Make sure you properly store the charge connector when not in use. Normal charging can be used with the remote charge, immediate charge and charge timer functions.

Rapid Charge

The rapid charge function is equipped on the LEAF can be performed in 30 approximately 30 minutes when you connect the vehicle to a quick charge connector at a public charging station. Quick charging cannot be performed if the reading on the Lithium iron battery temperature gauge is near the red zone. This can be used to estimate the approximate time needed to charge the battery to 80%.

To begin quick charging:

  1. Ensure that the LEAF is in park, and apply the parking brake and place the power switch in the off position.

  2. Unlock the charge port and open it by sliding your hand underneath the lid and raise it until it clicks into place. Open the cap on the charge port on the left,

  3. Align the charge port connector groove with the groove on the charge port and insert it.

  4. Grasp the lock mechanism to lock the charge connector in place.

  5. Proceed by following the directions on the Quick charge equipment.


To stop charging:

  1. First, confirm that charging is complete using the charging status indicator lights.

  2. Next, unlock the charge connector and remove it from the vehicle.

  3. Properly store the Quick charge connector, close the quick charge cap and charge port lid.


Frequent use of the Quick charging function should be minimized in order to prolong the life of the Lithium-Ion battery.

The Quick charge operation will stop automatically if the charge time has exceeded 60 minutes or if the possible charge time set for the quick charger. It may take more time to charge the Lithium-Ion battery using the quick charger you have parked the LEAF in a cold location.

When charging 30kWh battery models, the Lithium-Ion battery available charge and capacity readings shown on the Quick Charger unit may differ from the ones shown on the LEAF's display.

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