Running Cost

Electricity cost multiplied by the car's WLTP efficiency rating.

Based on cents per kWh:

{model}

{dollar}

$/100 km

{wh}

Wh/km (WLTP)

Efficiency listed on your EV's dashboard shows energy consumed from the battery.

But running cost must use the WLTP electric energy consumption rating that includes power consumed during charging. Charging losses are typically between 7-12%.

Dashboard Economy

Electrical energy consumed from the battery over a given distance.

{wh}

Wh/km

{kwh}

kWh/100 km

{km}

km/kWh

Vehicle consumption is displayed on the dashboard and is re-calculated as you drive. It is different to the WLTP rated consumption (which measures power from the mains).

This number is estimated by comparing the usable battery capacity against the WLTP range.

See more about WLTP range and efficiency.

Range (WLTP)

Range is from the manufacturer's WLTP range specification.

Highway Range

Highway range is an estimate if most of your travel is open road (100 km/h).

WLTP range is helpful if most of your travel is 80 km/h and under, but not so good for open road estimates.

See more about WLTP range and efficiency.

Tow Capacity

Unbraked (kg) / Braked (kg)

Most EVs can have towbars fitted for carrying bikes (but not for towing loads).

Towing a load will significantly decrease range (typically by 50%).

See all EVs ranked by tow capacity.

Luggage Capacity 🧳

Seats up (Litres) / Seats down (Liters)

The volume of space available.

Frunk

Volume (Litres)

The American term "front trunk" indicates how much storage space is available under the bonnet of the car.

Battery Capacity 🔋

Total (Gross) kWh / Usable (Net) kWh

Usable battery capacity is the number of kilowatt-hours that the vehicle can access.

Complete guide to EV batteries.

Home Charge

The maximum speed the EV can charge at home or a public AC charger.

An EV has a built-in charger that converts household AC electricity into DC current that goes into the battery.

This limits the maximum speed you can charge at home - no matter what extra equipment you install. Some public chargers (such as at motor camps and shopping malls) are also AC only.

Fast Charge ⚡

The maximum speed the EV can charge at a public DC fast charger.

Speed is also limited by the capacity of the public charger. In NZ, fast chargers are typically 25 kW, 50 kW, 100 kW, 175 kW, and 300 kW.

Temperature (20°+ is ideal) and battery state-of-charge affect speed (an empty battery charges faster).

  1. EVs
  2. Nissan
  3. Leaf

Nissan Leaf

ALL TIME RANK
1
The Nissan Leaf is New Zealand's best selling full electric vehicle - see top 10

The Nissan Leaf is NZ’s most popular full electric used import, and arguably the cheapest.

Nissan Leaf

2018→

Range

270kms

Battery

39kWh

Price

$55,365*
  • Body Type
  • Seats
  • Length
  • Width
  • Height
  • Boot Space
  • Frunk
  • Hatchback
  • 5
  • 4490 mm
  • 1788 mm
  • 1540 mm
  • 435 L / 1176 L
  • -
  • 0-100 km/h
  • Top speed
  • Power
  • Drive
  • Battery
  • Tow
  • 7.9 s
  • 144 km/h
  • 110 kW
  • FWD
  • 40 / 39
  • -
  • Highway range
  • Running cost
  • Home charge
  • Fast charge (DC)
  • Dashboard economy
  • 208 km
  • $2.57/100 km
  • 6.6 kW
  • 46 kW
  • 144 Wh/km

The second-generation Leaf is a significant upgrade to its popular predecessor. The 5-seat hatchback is roomier, with multiple feature upgrades (such as one-pedal driving). It continues to be a popular choice, with most customers opting for used imports rather than NZ new.

Its 200+ km range is starting to look dated as newer EVs hit the market.

Note that the Japanese import version has only a 3.6 kW charger.

New price increased from 61990 to 63990 (October 2022)

Nissan Leaf (1st gen)
USED

2011-2016

Range

115kms

Battery

21.3kWh

Price

$9k+
  • Body Type
  • Seats
  • Length
  • Width
  • Height
  • Boot Space
  • Frunk
  • Hatchback
  • 5
  • 4450 mm
  • 1770 mm
  • 1550 mm
  • 370 L / 680 L
  • -
  • 0-100 km/h
  • Top speed
  • Power
  • Drive
  • Battery
  • Tow
  • 11.9 s
  • 144 km/h
  • 80 kW
  • FWD
  • 24 / 21.3
  • -
  • Highway range
  • Running cost
  • Home charge
  • Fast charge (DC)
  • Dashboard economy
  • 89 km
  • $2.13/100 km
  • 3.3 kW
  • 46 kW
  • No data

The Nissan Leaf was first registered in New Zealand in 2011, with an upgrade in late 2012. The 30 kWh battery was made available between 2016 and 2017.

The degree of battery wear significantly affects range. A 24 kWh Leaf won't have more than 125 km range. Generally, the older the vehicle, the lower the range.

An older Leaf is best used as a city or urban-only car. The Leaf has DC fast-charging capability, but its short range make it a poor choice for regional travel.

Nissan Leaf (2nd gen)
USED

2016-2017

Range

170kms

Battery

27.5kWh

Price

$19k+
  • Body Type
  • Seats
  • Length
  • Width
  • Height
  • Boot Space
  • Frunk
  • Hatchback
  • 5
  • 4450 mm
  • 1770 mm
  • 1550 mm
  • 370 L / 680 L
  • -
  • 0-100 km/h
  • Top speed
  • Power
  • Drive
  • Battery
  • Tow
  • 11.9 s
  • 144 km/h
  • 80 kW
  • FWD
  • 30 / 27.5
  • -
  • Highway range
  • Running cost
  • Home charge
  • Fast charge (DC)
  • Dashboard economy
  • 131 km
  • $2.13/100 km
  • 3.3 kW
  • 46 kW
  • No data

In 2016 a 30 kWh battery version of the Leaf replaced the older 24 kWh versions. This provided a longer range. Nissan New Zealand did not sell these vehicles, and all of them are used imports.

Range is dependent on the battery state of health.

Nissan Leaf e+

2019→

Range

385kms

Battery

59kWh

Price

$64,365*
  • Body Type
  • Seats
  • Length
  • Width
  • Height
  • Boot Space
  • Frunk
  • Hatchback
  • 5
  • 4490 mm
  • 1788 mm
  • 1540 mm
  • 420 L / 1161 L
  • -
  • 0-100 km/h
  • Top speed
  • Power
  • Drive
  • Battery
  • Tow
  • 6.9 s
  • 157 km/h
  • 160 kW
  • FWD
  • 62 / 59
  • -
  • Highway range
  • Running cost
  • Home charge
  • Fast charge (DC)
  • Dashboard economy
  • 296 km
  • $2.78/100 km
  • 6.6 kW
  • 50 kW
  • 153 Wh/km

The E+ does not just have a bigger battery but a more powerful motor (160 kW compared to the standard 110 kW Leaf), giving it quicker acceleration and more torque.

While most Leafs on the road are used imports, among NZ New vehicles, 80% are the 62 kWh E+.

The price increased from 69990 to 72990 (October 2022).

* Rebate applied. Original price is $63,990
* Rebate applied. Original price is $72,990

Guides

Battery State of Health and Range

Over time Leaf batteries lose their ability to hold their charge.

Degradation is around 3-4% per year.

State of Health (SoH) is the most important consideration when buying a Leaf (more so than km's traveled).

SoH cannot be read on a Nissan Leaf without using some extra kit, however, the dashboard displays the number of bars that correlates to SoH and therefore range.

BarsState of Health24 kWh Range30 kWh Range40 kWh Range
1285% - 100%115-135 km142-168 km230-270 km
1178.75% - 85%106-114 km132-142 km213-230 km
1072.5% - 78.75%98-106 km122-132 km
966.25% - 72.5%90-98 km111-122 km
860% - 66.25%81-90 km100-111 km
753.75% - 60%72-81 km90-100 km

Figures are based on 135 km real world range (on a brand new 24 kWh Leaf), and 168 km (on a 30 kWh Leaf).

Range of Leaf by Year

Battery SoH is the best way of estimating range, but there are some correlations to the vehicle's year.

Year24 kWh SoH and Range30 kWh40 kWh
201163% - 85 km-
201270% - 94 km-
201366% - 89 km-
201478% - 106 km-
201580% - 108 km82% - 138 km
201683% - 112 km80% - 134 km
2017-82% - 138 km88% - 238 km
2018--88% - 238 km
2019--91% - 246 km

2011-2013 Leaf's seem to have a huge variety in the State of Health, making it difficult to assess range.

This data comes from real-world monitoring done by FliptheFleet. It represents the 50th percentile of vehicles (i.e. the midpoint).

Trim Levels

Leaf's have three distinct trim levels. The top level tends to have heated seats and steering wheel.

BaseMid LevelTop Level
JapanSXG
UKAcentaN-ConnectaTekna
USAS and S PlusSV and SV PlusSL Plus

Some imports are the Autech sub-variation (ex-Japan only). The Autech Leaf has distinct LED lights in the front bumper, and body trim enhancements giving it a sportier look.

NZ New Nissan Leaf

Nissan New Zealand sold new Leaf's between 2012 and 2015 (about 80 were registered) but these were undercut by used imports (from Japan or UK).

They stopped selling new vehicles until about 2019 when the next generation (ZE1) was supplied. While there has been modest success as a NZ new vehicle, it is still the primary choice of used import EV.

How many Leaf's sold in NZ?

Data shown for all Nissan Leaf variations combined including both NZ New and Used import registrations. Breakdown by year or month.

How many Leaf's are there in NZ?

There have been 18,201 Nissan Leaf's registered in NZ to date.

This is made up of 3.8% NZ New and 96.2% Used Import.

How many of each submodel is there?

How many units of each major model variation (NZ new) have been registered to date.

Raw submodel dataUnits
LEAF 110KW/EV/FD323
LEAF 160KW/EV/FD281
<blank>82
TECKNA 110KW/EV/CVT4
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