Nissan Leaf Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate your real charging costs by state, model year, and charging type — and see if a Leaf saves you money vs. gasoline.
Methodology & Formula
All calculations run locally in your browser. Results are estimates based on the inputs and rates you provide.
Charging Cost Formula
Battery energy added (kWh) = SOC delta % × battery capacity × (SoH / 100) Wall energy (kWh) = Battery energy added × (1 + charging loss factor) Charging cost ($) = Wall energy × electricity rate Cost per mile = Charging cost ÷ miles per charge Monthly cost = Cost per mile × miles per month Annual cost = Monthly cost × 12 Annual gas cost = (miles ÷ MPG) × gas price × 12 Savings = Annual gas cost − Annual charging cost Break-even rate ($/kWh) = (Gas price ÷ MPG) × efficiency ÷ (1 + loss factor)
Charging Loss Factors
- Home Level 2: ~10% (typical AC-to-battery loss)
- Public Level 2: ~12%
- DC Fast: ~6%
Public & DC Fast Charging Rates
Public charging rates are estimated at ~1.8× the home rate (Public L2) and ~2.5× the home rate (DC Fast). These are estimates, not verified network prices. Actual pricing varies by network and location. The primary result reflects your selected charging location.
Data Sources
- EPA efficiency ratings — fueleconomy.gov (2026)
- Electricity rate defaults — U.S. Energy Information Administration state averages (2026 estimates)
- Gas price defaults — AAA state averages (2026 estimates)
- Battery capacities & SoH — Nissan specifications; degradation is modeled, not measured
State electricity and gas values are provided as starting estimates only. Verify with your utility bill and local gas stations before relying on the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge a Nissan Leaf?
A full charge (0–100%) of a 40 kWh Leaf costs roughly $6.80 at the U.S. average electricity rate of $0.17/kWh. With ~10% charging losses, the effective cost is around $7.48. Real costs vary by state, rate plan, and battery condition.
How much does it cost to charge a Nissan Leaf at home?
Home charging is the cheapest option. At $0.17/kWh and 10% losses, a 40 kWh Leaf costs about $7.48 per full charge — around 5.3¢ per mile. Actual home rates range from ~$0.11/kWh (WA, ID) to ~$0.42/kWh (HI).
Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a public station?
Home charging is almost always cheaper. Public Level 2 typically costs 1.5–2× the home rate, and DC fast charging 2–3×. Select your charging location in the tool to see your cost for that scenario.
Does Nissan Leaf charging cost vary by state?
Yes — significantly. Electricity rates vary from roughly $0.11/kWh in Washington and Idaho to over $0.40/kWh in Hawaii. Select your state to see a local estimate.
How do charging losses affect my cost?
Not all wall energy reaches the battery. Level 2 AC charging loses about 8–12% as heat; DC fast loses about 5–8%. The calculator adds this to your wall energy so your cost reflects what the meter actually sees.
How does battery degradation affect charging cost?
A degraded battery holds less energy, so you charge more often for the same miles — raising your cost per mile. The SoH slider lets you model this. A Leaf at 80% SoH effectively has 80% of its rated capacity.
Is a Nissan Leaf cheaper to run than a gas car?
At home charging rates, yes — typically. At a 30 MPG gas car and $3.50/gal, gas costs about 11.7¢ per mile; a Leaf at home costs about 5.3¢. If you rely mainly on DC fast charging, the advantage shrinks or disappears.
What is the cost per mile for a Nissan Leaf?
Home charging at $0.17/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency yields roughly 5.3¢ per mile including losses. Public L2 is closer to 10¢, and DC fast around 13¢ per mile.
How much does it cost to charge a Nissan Leaf per month?
At 1,000 miles/month and home charging, most Leaf owners spend $45–$65 per month. Your result updates as you change miles, rate, and charging location.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Nissan Leaf?
A 24 kWh Leaf costs ~$4.50, a 40 kWh Leaf ~$7.50, and a 62 kWh Leaf ~$11.60 at the U.S. average home rate, including losses.
Does the Nissan Leaf qualify for the federal EV tax credit?
New Leaf eligibility depends on current IRS rules (assembly location, battery sourcing, MSRP caps, and income limits). Used Leafs may qualify for the 30% up to $4,000 used-EV credit. Verify current eligibility with the IRS before purchase.
What is the break-even electricity rate for a Leaf vs gas?
Break-even is the electricity price at which EV cost per mile equals gas cost per mile. For a 30 MPG car at $3.50/gal and a Leaf at 3.5 mi/kWh, break-even is about $0.37/kWh. Below that, the EV wins.
Do public charging rates match what this calculator shows?
No — public charging prices vary widely by network and location. The calculator uses a multiplier on your home rate as a rough estimate. Check the specific network app for actual prices.
Why does the calculator ask for State of Health (SoH)?
Used Leafs often have reduced battery capacity. SoH lets you model that. If you don't know your SoH, leave it at 100% for a new-car estimate.
Are the state electricity and gas values current?
They are 2026 estimates based on EIA and AAA published averages. Rates change frequently. For an accurate result, enter your actual electricity rate from your utility bill and the gas price at your local station.
Nissan Leaf Charging Cost Calculator — Home, Public & DC Fast (2027)
A full charge (0–100%) of a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf costs roughly $7.50 at the U.S. average residential electricity rate of about 18 ¢/kWh in 2026, once you account for typical charging losses. A 62 kWh Leaf e+ costs closer to $11.60. But your actual cost depends heavily on your state, your utility rate plan, where you charge, and the health of your battery.
This page gives you a working calculator and a plain-English breakdown of every number behind it — so you can see what you'll actually pay, not a national average.
Use the calculator below to model your specific situation, then read on for the methodology, state-by-state data, battery-degradation impact, and break-even analysis.
[Embed the Nissan Leaf Charging Cost Calculator tool here. The tool handles state selection, model year, battery capacity, State of Health, charging location, electricity rate, gas price, and MPG, and outputs cost per charge, monthly/annual cost, cost per mile, EV vs. gas savings, and break-even rate.]
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Nissan Leaf?
The short answer depends on three things: how much energy you add, what you pay per kWh, and how much energy is lost in the process.
Direct answer
At the U.S. average residential rate of roughly 18 ¢/kWh (EIA, 2026), here is what a full charge costs after accounting for typical Level 2 charging losses (about 10%):
| Battery size | Energy added (0–100%) | Wall energy (incl. 10% loss) | Cost at 18 ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 kWh | 24.0 kWh | 26.4 kWh | $4.75 |
| 30 kWh | 30.0 kWh | 33.0 kWh | $5.94 |
| 40 kWh | 40.0 kWh | 44.0 kWh | $7.92 |
| 62 kWh (e+) | 62.0 kWh | 68.2 kWh | $12.28 |
But “full charge” is rarely how people charge. Most Leaf owners charge from 20% to 80% or similar partial states. At 20–80%, the energy added is only 60% of capacity. For a 40 kWh Leaf, that is 24 kWh battery energy, 26.4 kWh wall energy, and about $4.75 per session at 18 ¢/kWh.
Cost per mile
The U.S. EPA rates the 40 kWh Leaf at approximately 3.5 mi/kWh combined (30.3 kWh/100 mi). Accounting for 10% charging losses, your effective wall-to-wheel efficiency is about 3.18 mi/kWh. At 18 ¢/kWh:
Cost per mile = 18 ¢ ÷ 3.18 = 5.7 ¢ per mile.
At 1,000 miles per month, that is roughly $57/month or $684/year in home charging costs.
What changes the answer
- Your state’s electricity rate — this is the single largest variable. Rates range from about 12–13 ¢/kWh in Louisiana, Idaho, and North Dakota to 48–52 ¢/kWh in Hawaii, and about 33 ¢/kWh in California (EIA, 2026).
- Where you charge — Public Level 2 often costs 1.5–2× home rates; DC fast charging can cost 2–3×.
- Your battery’s State of Health (SoH) — a degraded battery holds less energy, so you charge more often for the same miles.
- Your utility rate plan — time-of-use (TOU) rates can cut the effective price of overnight charging substantially, but they also raise daytime rates.
Key Takeaways
- A 40 kWh Leaf costs roughly $7.50–$8.00 per full charge at U.S. average rates in 2026, including charging losses.
- Home charging typically costs 5–6 ¢ per mile; public Level 2 runs about 9–10 ¢; DC fast can reach 13–15 ¢.
- State electricity rates vary by 4× or more, so a Leaf that costs $50/month to charge in Louisiana can cost over $150/month in Hawaii at the same mileage.
- Battery degradation directly raises your cost per mile. A Leaf at 86% SoH (the median for a 40 kWh Leaf at ~93,000 miles, per an Aviloo study of 500,000+ battery tests) costs roughly 16% more per mile than a new one at the same electricity rate.
- The federal new-EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025 for vehicles acquired after that date. The used-EV credit (30% up to $4,000) was also terminated for acquisitions after December 31, 2025. State and utility incentives may still apply — check your state.
- The 2026 Nissan Leaf switched from CHAdeMO to NACS, giving it native access to Tesla Superchargers. Older Leafs still use CHAdeMO and have no reliable consumer NACS adapter.
- At a 30 MPG gas car and $4.50/gal (AAA national average, May 2026), gas costs about 15 ¢ per mile. Home-charged Leaf still wins by a wide margin; DC-fast-charged Leaf is roughly break-even.
Nissan Leaf Charging Cost by Model Year and Battery
The Leaf has used four battery sizes across its generations. Each has different usable capacity, EPA efficiency, and therefore different charging economics.
| Battery | Model years | EPA range (mi) | EPA efficiency (mi/kWh) | Cost per full charge (home, 18 ¢/kWh) | Cost per mile (home) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 kWh | 2011–2015 | ~84 | ~3.2–3.4 | ~$4.75 | ~5.5–5.9 ¢ |
| 30 kWh | 2016–2017 | ~107 | ~3.3 | ~$5.94 | ~5.5 ¢ |
| 40 kWh | 2018–2023 | ~149 | ~3.5 | ~$7.92 | ~5.7 ¢ |
| 62 kWh (e+) | 2019–2025 | ~215–226 | ~3.3 | ~$12.28 | ~5.8 ¢ |
| 75 kWh (2026+) | 2026+ | ~259–303 (EPA est.) | ~3.6 (EPA) / 3.6+ real-world | ~$14.85 | ~5.6 ¢ (EPA) |
Note on 2026+ efficiency: The 2026 third-generation Leaf is rated at 33 kWh/100 mi (≈3.0 mi/kWh) by the EPA, but independent testing by Edmunds measured 27.8 kWh/100 mi (≈3.6 mi/kWh) in real-world conditions — a 16% improvement over the EPA figure. The calculator uses the EPA combined rating as a conservative default, but you can enter your own observed efficiency if you know it.
Home vs. Public vs. DC Fast Charging: Cost Comparison
Not all charging costs the same. The table below shows the same 24 kWh battery energy (40 kWh Leaf, 20–80%) charged three ways, at a home rate of 18 ¢/kWh.
| Charging type | Typical loss | Effective rate | Wall energy | Cost per 20–80% session | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 2 (240V) | ~10% | 18 ¢/kWh | 26.4 kWh | $4.75 | ~5.7 ¢ |
| Public Level 2 | ~12% | ~32 ¢/kWh (est. 1.8×) | 26.9 kWh | $8.61 | ~10.3 ¢ |
| DC Fast (NACS/CHAdeMO) | ~6% | ~45 ¢/kWh (est. 2.5×) | 25.4 kWh | $11.45 | ~13.7 ¢ |
Public and DC fast rates are estimates based on a multiplier applied to your home rate. Actual network prices vary. DC fast pricing in particular has become more competitive: Walmart and Ionna have pushed DC fast rates as low as $0.37/kWh in some markets, while Tesla and Electrify America have historically been closer to $0.50–$0.56/kWh.
Practical implication: If you can charge at home, do. The savings over DC fast are large enough that home charging is the single most important factor in Leaf ownership economics. If you cannot charge at home — apartment dwellers, for example — the economic case for a Leaf weakens considerably unless you have reliable, cheap public Level 2 access at work or nearby.
Nissan Leaf Charging Cost by State
Electricity rates vary dramatically by state. The table below uses EIA average residential rates from mid-2026 to show what a 40 kWh Leaf costs per full charge (including 10% loss) and per mile (at 3.18 mi/kWh wall-to-wheel) in selected states.
| State | Residential rate (¢/kWh, 2026) | Full charge cost (40 kWh) | Cost per mile | Monthly cost (1,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.7 | $5.59 | 4.0 ¢ | $40 |
| Idaho | 12.4–13.7 | $5.45–$6.03 | 3.9–4.3 ¢ | $39–$43 |
| North Dakota | 11.9 | $5.24 | 3.7 ¢ | $37 |
| Texas | 15.9–16.4 | $7.00–$7.22 | 5.0–5.2 ¢ | $50–$52 |
| Florida | 15.0–15.2 | $6.60–$6.69 | 4.7–4.8 ¢ | $47–$48 |
| New York | ~20.5 (varies by utility) | ~$9.02 | ~6.4 ¢ | ~$64 |
| California | 33.3–33.6 | $14.65–$14.78 | 10.5–10.6 ¢ | $105–$106 |
| Massachusetts | ~24.5 | ~$10.78 | ~7.7 ¢ | ~$77 |
| Hawaii | 48.0–52.0 | $21.12–$22.88 | 15.1–16.3 ¢ | $151–$163 |
Rates from EIA data as published by Choose Energy for May and July 2026. State averages mask wide utility-level variation. Always check your own bill.
What this means: A Leaf owner in Louisiana pays roughly 4 ¢/mile. A Leaf owner in Hawaii pays roughly 15–16 ¢/mile. At 1,000 miles/month, that is a $120+/month difference for the same car and the same driving. If you are considering a Leaf and live in a high-rate state, check whether your utility offers a separate EV rate or TOU plan — those can materially change the picture.
How Battery Degradation Affects Your Charging Cost
This is the gap that almost every competing calculator ignores. A degraded battery holds less energy. That means for the same miles driven, you charge more often — and your cost per mile goes up.
What the data shows
An Aviloo study of more than 500,000 battery tests (2022–2026) across 20 EV models found that the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf ZE1 had the lowest median State of Health of the group at 150,000 km (~93,000 miles): 86.3%. Median SoH declined from 91.1% at 50,000 km to 86.3% at 150,000 km.
More importantly, the study found a spread of up to 13.5 percentage points in SoH between individual Leafs with the same age and mileage — equivalent to roughly 29 km (18 miles) of real-world range difference per charge. Averages hide a lot. Two 2019 Leafs with 80,000 miles can have very different usable capacities.
How degradation changes your cost
If your Leaf’s usable capacity is 86.3% of original, then:
- A 40 kWh battery now holds 34.5 kWh usable.
- You need 16% more charging sessions to cover the same miles.
- Your cost per mile rises from about 5.7 ¢ to about 6.6 ¢ at the same electricity rate.
That is a real difference, but it is not catastrophic. Even the lowest-ranked Leaf in the Aviloo study retained more than 86% of original capacity at 93,000 miles. Batteries are ageing better than the “they wear out fast” narrative suggests.
What to do about it
- If you are buying used: get a battery health report. Recurrent, Aviloo, and some dealers provide SoH readings. Do not rely on mileage alone.
- If you already own a Leaf: use the SoH slider in the calculator to model your real-world cost. If you don’t know your SoH, a Nissan dealer can read it, or you can use a third-party OBD-II tool with Leaf-specific software.
- Charging behaviour matters: frequent DC fast charging and high ambient temperatures accelerate degradation. The Leaf’s air-cooled battery is more sensitive to heat than liquid-cooled systems in many rivals.
Nissan Leaf vs. Gas Car: Break-Even Analysis
The question “is a Leaf cheaper to run than a gas car?” has a precise answer, and it depends on your electricity rate and gas price.
The break-even formula
Break-even is the electricity price at which EV cost per mile equals gas cost per mile:
Break-even rate ($/kWh) = (Gas price ÷ MPG) × efficiency (mi/kWh) ÷ (1 + loss factor)
For a 30 MPG gas car at $4.50/gal (AAA national average, May 2026) and a 40 kWh Leaf at 3.5 mi/kWh with 10% losses:
Gas cost per mile = $4.50 ÷ 30 = 15.0 ¢
Wall-to-wheel efficiency = 3.5 ÷ 1.10 = 3.18 mi/kWh
Break-even rate = 15.0 ¢ × 3.18 ÷ 3.5 = 13.6 ¢/kWh
At today’s national average of ~18 ¢/kWh, home charging beats gas by a comfortable margin. But in high-rate states like California (33 ¢) and Hawaii (48 ¢), home charging is more expensive per mile than a 30 MPG gas car at current gas prices. And DC fast charging at ~45 ¢/kWh costs roughly 13.7 ¢/mile — slightly cheaper than gas at $4.50/gal, but not dramatically so.
Break-even by state
| State | Electricity rate | EV cost/mile (home) | Gas cost/mile (30 MPG @ $4.50) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.7 ¢ | 4.0 ¢ | 15.0 ¢ | EV by 11 ¢ |
| Texas | 16.0 ¢ | 5.0 ¢ | 15.0 ¢ | EV by 10 ¢ |
| U.S. average | 18.3 ¢ | 5.8 ¢ | 15.0 ¢ | EV by 9.2 ¢ |
| California | 33.4 ¢ | 10.5 ¢ | 15.0 ¢ | EV by 4.5 ¢ |
| Hawaii | 48.0 ¢ | 15.1 ¢ | 15.0 ¢ | Gas by 0.1 ¢ (tie) |
Gas prices vary by state. California gas averaged $6.16/gal in May 2026, which would shift the California comparison strongly back toward the EV. The table uses a single national gas price for comparability.
Bottom line: For most U.S. drivers, home-charged Leaf is cheaper per mile than a 30 MPG gas car. In the highest-rate states, the advantage narrows or disappears at the pump — but those states also tend to have higher gas prices, which restores the EV advantage. If you rely on DC fast charging, the advantage largely evaporates.
Charging Losses Explained
Every charger loses some energy between the wall and your battery. The electricity meter measures what you draw from the grid; the battery stores less than that. You pay for the grid energy, not the battery energy.
| Charging type | Typical loss | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120V) | 12–15% | Slowest, least efficient. Fine for overnight top-ups on low-mileage days. |
| Level 2 (240V) | 8–12% | The standard home charging method. Most efficient AC option. |
| DC Fast (NACS / CHAdeMO) | 5–8% | More efficient than AC because the charger does the AC-to-DC conversion off-board, but the battery itself resists high charge rates as it fills. |
For a 24 kWh battery energy addition at 10% loss, you pay for 26.4 kWh. The 2.4 kWh difference is real money — about 43 ¢ at 18 ¢/kWh. Across a year of charging, losses add up to meaningful amounts. The calculator includes this adjustment so your result reflects what your meter will actually show.
Federal and State EV Incentives: What Applies in 2027
This is the section where most old content is now wrong. The federal tax credit landscape changed dramatically in 2025.
Federal credits: expired
- New Clean Vehicle Credit (30D, up to $7,500): Terminated for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
- Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Credit (25E, 30% up to $4,000): Terminated for vehicles acquired after December 31, 2025.
If you are buying a Leaf in 2027, you should not assume any federal tax credit applies. Verify with the IRS before purchase.
State and utility incentives
Some states, utilities, and regional air-quality agencies still offer EV rebates, charging equipment incentives, or reduced registration fees. These vary enormously and change frequently. Examples (verify current status):
- Some states offer point-of-sale rebates on new or used EVs.
- Many utilities offer rebates on home charger installation or off-peak charging credits.
- Some states charge additional EV registration fees to offset lost gas-tax revenue.
Check your state energy office, your utility’s EV page, and the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center for current programs.
CHAdeMO and NACS: What Leaf Owners Need to Know
The Nissan Leaf used the CHAdeMO DC fast charging standard for its entire first and second generations (2011–2025). The 2026 third-generation Leaf switched to NACS (the Tesla-style North American Charging Standard).
For 2026+ Leaf owners
- Native NACS port on the passenger side gives direct access to Tesla Superchargers and other NACS networks.
- Plug & Charge functionality is included.
- No adapter needed for NACS stations.
- Maximum DC fast charging rate is 150 kW under ideal conditions.
For older Leaf owners (2011–2025)
- Your Leaf uses CHAdeMO. No reliable, safety-certified CHAdeMO-to-NACS adapter exists for consumer use.
- CCS-to-CHAdeMO adapters exist (roughly $800–$1,000 from brands like A2Z), but they are expensive and add complexity.
- CHAdeMO network coverage is shrinking. Networks are not installing new CHAdeMO cables, and the standard is effectively dead for new vehicles.
Practical implication for used Leaf buyers: If you plan to rely on public DC fast charging, a 2026+ Leaf with NACS is a materially better choice than an older CHAdeMO Leaf. If you charge almost exclusively at home and only rarely road-trip, CHAdeMO is less of a problem — but plan your routes carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge a Nissan Leaf?
At the U.S. average residential rate of about 18 ¢/kWh (2026), a 40 kWh Leaf costs roughly $7.50–$8.00 per full charge including charging losses. A 62 kWh Leaf e+ costs about $12.30. Actual costs vary by state and rate plan.
How much does it cost to charge a Nissan Leaf per month?
At 1,000 miles/month and home charging at the U.S. average rate, most Leaf owners pay $55–$65/month in electricity. In low-rate states like Louisiana or Idaho, it can be as low as $37–$43. In Hawaii, it can exceed $150.
Is it cheaper to charge a Nissan Leaf at home or at a public station?
Home charging is almost always cheaper. Public Level 2 typically costs 1.5–2× the home rate, and DC fast charging 2–3×. The only exception is if your home electricity rate is unusually high and you have access to free or subsidised workplace charging.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Nissan Leaf?
At 18 ¢/kWh including 10% losses: 24 kWh → ~$4.75; 30 kWh → ~$5.94; 40 kWh → ~$7.92; 62 kWh → ~$12.28. At California rates (33 ¢), a 40 kWh full charge costs about $14.65. At Hawaii rates (48 ¢), it costs about $21.12.
Does Nissan Leaf charging cost vary by state?
Yes — dramatically. Residential rates ranged from about 12 ¢/kWh in Louisiana and Idaho to 48–52 ¢/kWh in Hawaii in 2026 (EIA data). The same Leaf driven the same miles can cost 4× more to charge in one state than another.
How does cold weather affect Nissan Leaf charging costs?
Cold weather reduces battery efficiency and increases charging losses. A Leaf that achieves 3.5 mi/kWh in mild conditions may see 2.8–3.0 mi/kWh in winter, raising cost per mile by 15–25%. Cabin heating also draws energy. The calculator does not model temperature separately — if you drive in cold climates, use a lower efficiency figure in your inputs for a winter estimate.
Is a Nissan Leaf cheaper to run than a gas car?
At home charging rates in most states, yes. At a 30 MPG gas car and $4.50/gal, gas costs about 15 ¢/mile. A home-charged Leaf costs about 5–6 ¢/mile at U.S. average rates. In high-rate states like Hawaii, the advantage narrows to roughly break-even at the pump — though Hawaii gas prices are also higher. DC fast charging roughly eliminates the advantage.
What is the cost per mile for a Nissan Leaf?
Home charging at 18 ¢/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh EPA efficiency yields roughly 5.7 ¢ per mile including losses. Public Level 2 is closer to 10 ¢. DC fast is about 14 ¢. These figures rise as battery State of Health declines.
Does the Nissan Leaf qualify for the federal EV tax credit?
No federal new-EV or used-EV tax credit was available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025 (new) or December 31, 2025 (used). Verify current IRS guidance before purchase. Some state and utility incentives may still apply.
How much does a Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost?
Replacement costs vary widely by battery size, refurbished vs. new, and installer. Reported ranges run from roughly $4,000 to $9,500 for a 40 kWh pack. This is not a routine cost for most owners — the Aviloo study found even high-mileage Leafs retained over 86% capacity — but it is a real consideration for very old or heavily degraded vehicles.
Why does the calculator ask for State of Health (SoH)?
SoH tells the calculator how much of the original battery capacity is actually usable. A Leaf at 85% SoH holds 85% of its rated kWh, so it needs more charging sessions to cover the same miles. If you don’t know your SoH, leave it at 100% for a new-car estimate, or enter a used Leaf’s reported SoH for a more accurate figure.
What is the break-even electricity rate for a Leaf vs gas?
For a 30 MPG gas car at $4.50/gal and a Leaf at 3.5 mi/kWh with 10% losses, break-even is about 13.6 ¢/kWh. Below that rate, the EV is cheaper per mile; above it, gas wins. Use the calculator to solve for your own MPG, gas price, and efficiency.
Methodology and Data Sources
Charging cost formula
Battery energy added (kWh) = SOC delta % × battery capacity × (SoH / 100) Wall energy (kWh) = Battery energy added × (1 + loss factor) Charging cost ($) = Wall energy × electricity rate Miles per charge = battery capacity × efficiency (mi/kWh) × SOC delta Cost per mile = Charging cost ÷ miles per charge Monthly cost = Cost per mile × miles per month Annual cost = Monthly cost × 12 Annual gas cost = (miles ÷ MPG) × gas price × 12 Break-even rate ($/kWh) = (Gas price ÷ MPG) × efficiency ÷ (1 + loss factor)
Charging loss factors used
- Home Level 2: 10%
- Public Level 2: 12%
- DC Fast: 6%
Key data sources
- EPA efficiency ratings: fueleconomy.gov (2026 model year where available). The 2026 Leaf EPA combined rating is 33 kWh/100 mi (≈3.0 mi/kWh); independent testing by Edmunds measured 27.8 kWh/100 mi (≈3.6 mi/kWh). The calculator uses 3.5–3.8 mi/kWh depending on model year, reflecting a blend of EPA and real-world data.
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) state residential averages, May–July 2026. The U.S. average used for defaults is approximately 18.3 ¢/kWh.
- Gas prices: AAA national average, May 2026 (~$4.50/gal). State-level defaults are approximate and should be overridden with local prices.
- Battery degradation: Aviloo study of 500,000+ battery tests (2022–2026), as reported by AM-Online. Median 40 kWh Leaf ZE1 SoH at 150,000 km was 86.3%; spread between individual vehicles was up to 13.5 percentage points.
- CHAdeMO/NACS: Nissan official 2026 Leaf press materials confirm NACS port with Plug & Charge. No certified consumer CHAdeMO-to-NACS adapter exists as of 2026.
- Tax credits: IRS and Congressional Research Service. Federal new-EV credit (30D) terminated for acquisitions after September 30, 2025. Used-EV credit (25E) terminated for acquisitions after December 31, 2025.
Limitations
- Public and DC fast charging rates are estimates based on a multiplier on your home rate. Actual network prices vary and change frequently.
- Battery degradation is modeled as a linear scaling of usable capacity. Real degradation is non-linear and varies by climate, charging behaviour, and individual battery chemistry.
- Temperature effects on efficiency and charging losses are not modeled separately. Cold-weather drivers should use a lower efficiency figure for winter estimates.
- Time-of-use rate plans are not modeled directly. If you are on a TOU plan, enter your off-peak rate for the most representative result.
- State electricity and gas defaults are averages. Your actual utility rate may differ materially.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only, based on the inputs you provide and published average rates. Actual charging costs depend on your utility rate plan, time-of-use periods, charging losses, temperature, driving style, and battery condition. Public and DC fast charging prices vary by network and location. Verify tax credit eligibility with the IRS and your state. ElectVehicles is not affiliated with Nissan.
Last updated: October 2026. Electricity rates and tax credit rules are subject to change. Verify current figures before making purchase or ownership decisions.
If you don't know your Leaf's current State of Health, you can use our EV battery aging calculator to estimate degradation based on age, mileage, climate, and charging habits.
For a complete picture of Leaf ownership economics — including insurance, maintenance, and depreciation alongside charging — use our EV ownership cost calculator.
If you want to run the full comparison with your own gas car's MPG and your local fuel price, our EV vs gas cost calculator handles the side-by-side math.
For a deeper state-level breakdown, see our Texas EV charging costs analysis, which covers home vs. public rates, the state's $200 EV fee, and what it means for Leaf owners.
Public charging prices vary significantly by network — our EV charging network comparison breaks down what major networks like Electrify America, ChargePoint, and EVgo charge.
If you're factoring charging costs into a purchase decision, our EV loan calculator can estimate your monthly payment, total interest, and available federal tax credits.