The Nissan Leaf was the primary mass-produced electrical automobile. It set the paradigm for the early adopter EV, offering anemic energy with minimal vary and searching like a bug-eyed house capsule. It completely suited the core EV purchaser in 2010: somebody who felt the Toyota Prius was not quirky or hardcore sufficient.
Rivals surpassed the Leaf. Tesla proved EVs may very well be cool and provide greater than 3 times as a lot vary because the Leaf. Chevrolet constructed the extra absolutely baked Bolt EV. And the market now has a strong phase of entry-level electrical crossovers. However Nissan has saved updating the Leaf. And the model has clung doggedly to its most important advantage in opposition to the competitors: affordability.
The Nissan Leaf S is America’s most cost-effective EV in manufacturing, with a beginning MSRP beneath $30,000. And in the event you’re trying to get from A to a fairly distanced level B on a finances, a used Nissan Leaf may very well be an intriguing choice.
In case you’re available in the market for a used Nissan Leaf, listed below are the questions you could ask (and potential pitfalls to keep away from).
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Which technology Nissan Leaf are you shopping for?
The primary distinction between Nissan Leafs is generational. The primary-gen Nissan Leaf (2011-17) was a pioneer. But it surely additionally put out 107 horsepower and supplied a paltry 73 miles of EPA-estimated vary with its 24 kWh battery pack. A bigger 30 kWh pack added late within the mannequin run bumped the vary to 107 miles. Keep in mind, these vehicles now ship considerably much less in vary than they did then.
Nissan broadened the Leaf’s area of interest with the second technology (2018-present). The bottom 42 kWH battery now brings an EPA-estimated 149 miles of vary. Nissan now presents the Leaf Plus, launched in 2019, which bumps the ability output to 215 hp and the EPA-estimated vary to 212 miles with its 62 kWh battery.
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How a lot does a used Nissan Leaf price?
Used Nissan Leafs have a broad worth vary. You get what you pay for. First-generation Leafs are usually dramatically cheaper. Older first-gen fashions, usually with excessive mileage and diminished vary, might be discovered for beneath $5,000. Later first-gen fashions with the 30 kWh battery could price between $5,000 and $10,000.
Second-gen Leafs are usually priced greater, between $10,000 and $20,000, relying on the age, utilization and whether or not it was a Plus mannequin. A used Leaf Plus mannequin of current classic would possibly crack $20,000. Virtually each used Nissan Leaf must be beneath the $25,000 threshold for the used EV tax credit score.
Is battery degradation a difficulty with used Nissan Leafs?
Sure. All lithium-ion batteries lose capability over time. That may be a selected concern for first-gen Nissan Leafs. These vehicles have been on the highway for a decade or extra, had comparatively primitive battery tech, and have been usually used laborious by their homeowners, who charged 100% regularly. A Leaf that started with 73 miles of vary could high out within the 40s or 50s now.
Some pre-2015 Leafs suffered notably dangerous degradation when uncovered to excessive warmth in climates just like the American Southwest. Nissan used passive air cooling for the battery packs moderately than liquid cooling, which many fashionable EVs use. Nissan launched a extra resilient 24 kWh “Lizard” battery in 2015.
Nissan LEAF quick charging (CHAdeMO) at EVgo station
What kind of charger does a Nissan Leaf have?
Nissan offered in another way configured Leafs. That may make a distinction in how shortly the automobile can cost. For Degree 2 house charging, first-gen fashions got here with a base 3.6 kW capability and an optionally available improve to six.6 kW. The latter now comes customary on second-generation Leafs. This charge is slower than the 11.4 kW house charging some EVs are able to. However keep in mind that the Leaf has a smaller battery.
Quick charging for a Leaf is comparatively gradual by fashionable EV requirements. Leaf automobiles include a 50 kW fast cost port. Leaf Plus fashions improve to a 100 kW high-output fast cost port. The Leaf makes use of the CHAdeMO plug for quick charging; it’s principally the one EV nonetheless utilizing it. That leaves Leaf homeowners with comparatively few choices for quick charging.
Does the used Nissan Leaf battle in chilly climate?
Early first-gen Nissan Leafs struggled with cabin heating calls for, sapping the vary in chilly climate. Nissan added the choice for a extra environment friendly warmth pump in 2013, listed on the Monroney because the “Hybrid Heater System.” It got here on greater trims and as a part of a chilly climate package deal. Having that may assist diminish winter vary loss.
Testing has proven second-generation Leafs to be stouter than the unique mannequin in chilly climate situations. A 2019 Leaf outperformed a number of rivals, sustaining its vary in chilly climate.
Does a used Nissan Leaf have guarantee protection?
Sure. Nevertheless, ensure that to learn the high-quality print. Nissan sometimes offered Leafs with a three-year or 36,000-mile complete guarantee, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain guarantee and (on battery packs bigger than the 24 kWh pack) an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery guarantee. Most first-gen Leafs will likely be out of guarantee. Most second-gen Leafs will nonetheless have some guarantee on the battery.
Keep in mind that the battery guarantee doesn’t entitle the proprietor to a brand new battery. Nissan scores its battery capability out of 12 bars. Dipping beneath 9/12 bars makes the Leaf eligible for a battery guarantee restore. The guarantee solely covers repairs to convey the battery again as much as 9/12 bars.
