How much does it cost to run a Nissan Leaf?
A Nissan Leaf costs about $2.13 a day, $64.83 a month and $778 a year at typical use (37 miles a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. The Leaf uses about 0.29-0.31 kWh per mile from the battery, about 0.32 at the wall, and charges at up to 6.6 kW on Level 2.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120 V) | 1,440 | $2.13 | $64.83 | $778 |
| Level 2 (6.6 kW onboard) | 6,600 | $2.13 | $64.83 | $778 |
At 37 miles a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a Nissan Leaf in every state
The same Nissan Leaf costs $533 a year in North Dakota and $1,882 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $44.40 | $533 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $45.59 | $547 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $46.34 | $556 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $46.81 | $562 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $48.00 | $576 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $48.15 | $578 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $48.40 | $581 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $48.87 | $586 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $49.37 | $592 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $49.88 | $599 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $50.16 | $602 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $50.27 | $603 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $50.49 | $606 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $50.89 | $611 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $50.92 | $611 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $51.17 | $614 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $53.23 | $639 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $53.23 | $639 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $54.38 | $653 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $54.49 | $654 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $55.21 | $663 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $55.46 | $666 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $55.50 | $666 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $55.79 | $669 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $55.86 | $670 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $56.36 | $676 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $57.52 | $690 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $58.45 | $701 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $59.25 | $711 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $59.39 | $713 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $59.75 | $717 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $61.05 | $733 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $64.11 | $769 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $65.77 | $789 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $67.54 | $810 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $67.72 | $813 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $74.60 | $895 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $75.79 | $909 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $75.86 | $910 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $85.70 | $1,028 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $85.77 | $1,029 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $87.21 | $1,047 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $96.11 | $1,153 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $96.76 | $1,161 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $101 | $1,210 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $102 | $1,228 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $105 | $1,266 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $106 | $1,268 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $110 | $1,316 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $119 | $1,427 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $157 | $1,882 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the charge timer to charge off-peak.
- Use B mode or e-Pedal for regen in city driving.
- Avoid frequent DC fast charging in hot weather; the passively cooled battery degrades faster.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Matches the Leaf's onboard charger with lower losses than Level 1.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 6,600 | 37 miles a day | $64.83 | $778 |
| Chevy Bolt | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $62.81 | $754 |
| Electric car | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Level 1 EV charging | 1,440 | 37 miles a day | $68.88 | $827 |
| Level 2 EV charging | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $54.70 | $656 |
| Tesla Model Y | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $60.78 | $729 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a Nissan Leaf per hour?
A Nissan Leaf drawing 6,600 watts uses 6.60 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's $1.19 per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 81¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's $2.87.
How much does it cost to run a Nissan Leaf per month?
At typical use (37 miles a day), a Nissan Leaf costs about $64.83 a month and $778 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a Nissan Leaf use?
Most Nissan Leafs use 1,440 to 6,600 watts, depending on the setting (level 1 (120 v) 1,440 W, level 2 (6.6 kw onboard) 6,600 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a Nissan Leaf use?
About 11.84 kWh a day and 4,325 kWh a year at typical use (37 miles a day).
Does a Nissan Leaf use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 4,325 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 41% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a Nissan Leaf or a Chevy Bolt?
At typical use, a Nissan Leaf costs about $778 a year versus $754 for a Chevy Bolt. So the Chevy Bolt is cheaper by about $24 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a Nissan Leaf?
- Use the charge timer to charge off-peak.
- Use B mode or e-Pedal for regen in city driving.
- Avoid frequent DC fast charging in hot weather; the passively cooled battery degrades faster.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.