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What sort of battery does a LEAF have?

The LEAF uses lithium ion batteries - a power dense, high voltage technology that works well for storing a lot of energy. Although the lithium ion batteries in an EV are much stronger and more durable than those in your phone or laptop, they will still start to lose power and capacity with age and use. Battery degradation happens because of two things:

a) the age of the battery (also known as 'calendar' aging)

b) how the battery is used, charged, and stored

Calendar aging is inevitable - it starts the moment a battery is made. However, there are things that can cause a battery to degrade faster. The way an EV is charged and stored will impact the rate of battery degradation, so there are ways for an EV owners to slow the process. This discussion is covered in a research article on battery degradation.

What is the battery size of a LEAF?

The battery size, or battery capacity, is measured in kWh. The LEAF was originally released with a 24 kWh battery, which was upgraded to 40 kWh in 2014/15 models. 24 kWh is a pretty small battery, but 40 kWh is close to average for an economy electric. Starting in 2019, Nissan introduced the LEAF Plus with a 62 kWh battery. This battery capacity is on par with newer and more modern EVs, as is the accompanying range of 226 miles per charge.

What is the battery warranty for a new or used LEAF?

Starting in 2016, Nissan offered an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty against defaults or extreme degradation in the high voltage battery. Rather than ensuring the battery will maintain a certain percent capacity, Nissan guarantees that the on-board battery capacity meter will not fall below 9 bars, which translates roughly to a battery capacity between 66% and 72%. From 2013 - 2015, the battery warranty only lasted 5 years or 60,000 miles.

For 2011 and 2012 LEAFs, the battery warranty was for 8 years or 100,000 miles but there was no capacity guarantee specified and many of these battery packs were replaced or refurbished by Nissan starting in 2013.

How much does it cost to buy a LEAF?

The Nissan LEAF was released in 2011 with a suggested retail price of $32,780 before federal tax credits and any other incentives. In the next few years, the base price stayed fairly consistent, bouncing between $35K in 2012 and $28.8K in 2013. In recent years, it has hovered just over $31K, and dropped back down to $27,400 for the 2022 model year. This has kept the LEAF as a highly affordable, practical electric option that appeals to both early electric drivers and more recent converts. The LEAF has not yet hit 200,000 vehicles sold in the US so it is still eligible for the $7500 federal tax incentive.

The used cost of an LEAF varies a lot since there are so many model years to consider. Most used vehicles are between $9K - $37K with occasional cars as low as $4.5K and as high as $43K. Newer cars will command a higher price: the average cost of a used 2019+ is $32,500 - which is more than a new base model LEAF with incentives. A mid-year LEAF, 2014-2017, averages under $14K, but the average price for a 2018 LEAF jumps to $21K. Older LEAFS, from before 2014, generally have fairly low available ranges but cost around $8K.

What is the cost per range mile in an LEAF?

Cost per range mile is one way to look at the value of an EV across different makes and models. It helps a shopper understand how much of the purchase price is really going towards range, as opposed to amenities, comfort, or brand name. The LEAF has a cost per range mile of $123 to $200, making it an affordable and practical option. If you daily range needs are limited or if a second car is available to you, an older LEAF can be a very reasonably way to drive emission-free.

How much does it cost to run a LEAF for the year?

Recurrent uses data from the AFDC to determine the range of annual charging costs for the LEAF. The highest electricity price we use is in Hawaii and the lowest in Louisiana. We assume an average driving pattern of 34 miles a day, 5 days a week, 49 weeks a year with 25% highway driving, plus a few additional highway road trips. For a 2017 LEAF, this puts the annual charging costs between $336 - $1077. More detailed and personalized values can be calculated at the link above.