Image source: Nissan USA
For several years, car manufacturers struggled to produce an electric vehicle (EV) that rivaled the range and quality of the Tesla models. Finally, with the 2022 version of the Leaf, Nissan has produced something that comes close — and at only a fraction of the price.
In this blog, we will review the Nissan Leaf price, how much it costs to charge, how long it takes to charge, and whether or not it’s worth buying.
2022 Nissan Leaf features
The 2022 Nissan Leaf comes with the following features:
- Automatic braking with pedestrian detection
- High beam assist
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Rear automatic braking
How much does the Nissan Leaf cost?
The standard Leaf (Version S) costs $31,600. This is cheaper than most new gas cars, and best of all, it doesn’t pollute the environment.
| Nissan Leaf model | Price |
|---|---|
| S | $31,600 |
| S Plus | $38,200 |
| SV | $34,190 |
| SV Plus | $39,750 |
| SL Plus | $43,900 |
What is the EV tax credit?
The EV tax credit or plug-in electric drive vehicle credit is an incentive to reduce the price of electric cars. With the Nissan Leaf, the tax credit you should be eligible for is $7,500.
Under the Inflation Reduction, passed in August 2022, only cars assembled in North America qualify, and the Nissan Leaf (both 2022 and 2023 models) is among them, so the model should qualify.
But we will know for sure soon. On April 18th, 2023, a list of cars that qualify for the new version of the EV tax credit will be available at fueleconomy.gov.
Does the Nissan Leaf qualify for the federal EV tax credit?
The Nissan Leaf is not eligible for the federal EV tax credit because it does not meet one or more of the eligibility criteria. The tax credit is only available for EVs that meet critical mineral and assembly requirements and models where final assembly occurred in North America.
However, there may be state or local incentives you can take advantage of to lower the cost of purchasing a Nissan Leaf.
What is the range for the Nissan Leaf?
Since 2019, the Nissan Leaf has been available in 5 different variants. The Plus models contain a 62 kWh battery instead of the standard 40-kWh battery, giving the Plus models a much greater range per charge.
| Nissan Leaf model | Range |
|---|---|
| S | 149 miles |
| S Plus | 226 miles |
| SV | 149 miles |
| SV Plus | 215 miles |
| SL Plus | 215 miles |
How much does it cost to charge the Nissan Leaf?
The average cost of electricity in the US is $0.1285/kWh, meaning it costs only $5.14 on average to recharge your Nissan Leaf to the full 149-mile range. Compared to what you’d otherwise spend on gas, you’ll save a fortune.
| State | Avg. electricity rate | Cost of full charge (40kWh) | Cost of full charge (62kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $0.1188/kWh | $4.75 | $7.36 |
| California | $0.2170/kWh | $8.68 | $13.45 |
| Colorado | $0.1189/kWh | $4.76 | $7.38 |
| Connecticut | $0.2370/kWh | $9.48 | $14.69 |
| Delaware | $0.1259/kWh | $5.01 | $7.77 |
| Florida | $0.1176/kWh | $4.70 | $7.29 |
| Nevada | $0.1203/kWh | $4.81 | $7.46 |
| Massachusetts | $0.2305/kWh | $9.22 | $14.29 |
| New York | $0.1742/kWh | $6.97 | $10.80 |
| New Jersey | $0.1573/kWh | $6.29 | $9.75 |
| Oregon | $0.1186/kWh | $4.74 | $7.35 |
| Texas | $0.1197/kWh | $4.79 | $7.43 |
| Utah | $0.1017/kWh | $4.07 | $6.31 |
| Washington | $0.0942/kWh | $3.77 | $5.84 |
*National and state average electricity price collected from the US Energy Information Administration.
What is the Nissan Leaf charge time?
It will take different amounts of time to charge the Nissan Leaf, depending on the charging option and whether or not your vehicle is a Plus model.
There are three different Nissan Leaf charging options:
- Level 1 120-volt AC charger: Default home charger, comes free with the Nissan Leaf.
- Level 2 240-volt AC charger: Costs an additional $1,690 and must be installed by an electrician. This option is recommended.
- Level 3 DC fast chargers: Available only at public EV charging stations; by far the fastest charging option.
| Type of charger | Nissan Leaf S (40 kWh battery) | Nissan Leaf Plus (62 kWh battery) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 20 hours | Approximately 2.5 days |
| Level 2 | 8 hours | 11.5 hours |
| Level 3 DC fast charging | Approximately 50 minutes | 1 hour (80% charged) |
It takes about 8 hours to fully charge the standard 40 kWh battery and 11.5 hours to charge the 62kWh extended battery for the Plus models. That equals an average charging rate of 22 miles for each hour of charging, assuming you purchase the 240V charger and quick charge port for an additional cost of $1,690.
With the standard 120V Leaf charger, charging takes a bit longer - up to 20 hours to charge from zero battery power.
In most cases, purchasing the Level 2 charging station in your home is highly recommended. Perhaps an exception would be if you work or study near a public charging station and it isn't inconvenient to reach.
Where can I find Nissan Leaf charging stations?
A map of DC fast charging points for the Nissan Leaf can be found on the Nissan website. Provided you’re within a city or large town, you should have no trouble finding a place to fast-charge your Nissan Leaf.
Most public EV charging stations use universal adapters capable of charging a variety of different electric vehicles, should you ever choose an alternative to the Nissan Leaf.
Should I buy a Nissan Leaf?
For a final price of only $24,100, the Nissan Leaf is an excellent choice. Of course, you have to bear in mind that it is only designed for city and suburban living. Its 149-mile battery makes any road trip or driving extended distances difficult.
Can I charge my electric car with solar?
Of course you can! A solar system is an excellent way to offset your increased electric bills. With most states offering net metering, solar owners can wipe out all or most of their power bill from Day One!
How much does solar cost?
As of September 2022, solar systems with good quality components cost around $3.00/watt. This puts an average 7kW solar system at $19,950. This is rarely the amount you will actually pay, as local and federal incentives, along with the 30% federal tax credit bring the price down substantially - to about $13,965.
For a free estimate on how much your solar system will cost with local incentives, enter your zip code below.
Betsy Irwin
Solar Reviews Blog Author
Alex Sendy is a content writer and valued team member at SolarReviews.