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.
Opponents surpassed the Leaf. Tesla proved EVs might be cool and provide greater than 3 times as a lot vary because the Leaf. Chevrolet constructed the extra totally baked Bolt EV. And the market now has a strong section of entry-level electrical crossovers. However Nissan has stored updating the Leaf. And the model has clung doggedly to its essential advantage in opposition to the competitors: affordability.
The Nissan Leaf S is America’s most cost-effective EV in manufacturing, with a beginning MSRP under $30,000. And for those who’re seeking to get from A to a fairly distanced level B on a funds, a used Nissan Leaf might be an intriguing choice.
In the event you’re out there for a used Nissan Leaf, listed below are the questions it’s essential to ask (and potential pitfalls to keep away from).
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Which technology Nissan Leaf are you shopping for?
The principle distinction between Nissan Leafs is generational. The primary-gen Nissan Leaf (2011-17) was a pioneer. However it additionally put out 107 horsepower and provided 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 automobiles 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 provides the Leaf Plus, launched in 2019, which bumps the facility 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 typically dramatically cheaper. Older first-gen fashions, usually with excessive mileage and diminished vary, will be discovered for under $5,000. Later first-gen fashions with the 30 kWh battery could price between $5,000 and $10,000.
Second-gen Leafs are typically 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 may crack $20,000. Nearly each used Nissan Leaf ought to 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 specific concern for first-gen Nissan Leafs. These automobiles have been on the highway for a decade or extra, had comparatively primitive battery tech, and had been usually used onerous by their house owners, 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 fairly than liquid cooling, which many trendy EVs use. Nissan launched a extra resilient 24 kWh “Lizard” battery in 2015.
Nissan LEAF quick charging (CHAdeMO) at EVgo station
What sort of charger does a Nissan Leaf have?
Nissan offered in a different way configured Leafs. That may make a distinction in how shortly the automobile can cost. For Degree 2 residence charging, first-gen fashions got here with a base 3.6 kW capability and an non-compulsory improve to six.6 kW. The latter now comes customary on second-generation Leafs. This price is slower than the 11.4 kW residence charging some EVs are able to. However do not forget that the Leaf has a smaller battery.
Quick charging for a Leaf is comparatively gradual by trendy EV requirements. Leaf autos 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 mainly the one EV nonetheless utilizing it. That leaves Leaf house owners 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, be sure to learn the effective 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 shall be out of guarantee. Most second-gen Leafs will nonetheless have some guarantee on the battery.
Do not forget that the battery guarantee doesn’t entitle the proprietor to a brand new battery. Nissan scores its battery capability out of 12 bars. Dipping under 9/12 bars makes the Leaf eligible for a battery guarantee restore. The guarantee solely covers repairs to deliver the battery again as much as 9/12 bars.
