Safety ratings (from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency)
Economy
Electrical energy consumed from the battery over a given distance.
Economy
{model}
{wh}
kWh/100 km
Economy
{model}
{km}
km/kWh
Energy 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.
An estimate of how far you can drive on one full charge, adjusted for typical local conditions.
Type of driving — slide between all urban and all highway (≈ 100 km/h).
Temperature — pick the outside temperature (‑5 °C – 35 °C).
Energy consumption
How much electricity the car uses while it’s moving.
Use the 🔄 icon to flip between:
km / kWh — kilometres driven per kilowatt‑hour
kWh / 100 km — kilowatt‑hours used per 100 kilometres
Consumption ⚡️
How much electrical energy does the vehicle use while driving?
Higher speeds increase energy consumption (due to aerodynamic drag and reduced opportunity for electricity regeneration). Cold temperatures also increase consumption.
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) ⚡️
V2L allows electricity to flow from the battery to power appliances.
Some vehicles have interior NZ sockets, while others require an adapter be plugged into the Type 2 exterior charging socket.
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%).
The maximum charging rate the EV can support at home or public AC charging.
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. Single-phase power supports up to 7.4 kW - if the EV can take more than this, three-phase power must be available at the property.
Fast Charge ⚡
The maximum charging rate the EV can support at a DC fast charger.
Charging power also is limited by the capacity of the charging station.
In NZ, fast chargers are typically 25 kW, 50 kW, 100 kW, 175 kW, and 300 kW.
Cold temperatures and the vehicle's charging curve also dictate peak speed (i.e. a warm battery at a lower state-of-charge will charge quicker).
The Leaf is an iconic electric hatchback, and is the most popular EV on New Zealand’s roads. Used predominantly as a second car or round-town runner, newer variants with longer range make it an all-rounder.
In 2018, the Leaf underwent a major change in looks and shape, leading to a roomy hatchback with significant boot space. This Leaf was available as a new vehicle in NZ from 2019-2024, however about 95% of Leafs in NZ are used imports from Japan.
Previous models
Only available secondhand
Nissan Leaf 40 kWh
2018-2024
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.
Note that the Japanese import version has only a 3.6 kW charger. From 2023 Nissan NZ identified the base Leaf as a 39 kWh battery (indicating its usable capacity rather than total).
The extended range Leaf has a bigger battery and a more powerful motor (160 kW compared to the standard 110 kW Leaf), which gives it quicker acceleration and more torque.
Note: this longer-range LEAF is sometimes called the e+ or the 62 kWh (referring to the gross or nominal battery size).
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.
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.
Over time, older Leaf batteries lose their ability to hold their charge.
In older (pre-2018) Leafs, this degradation is around 2-3% per year. Newer Leafs (40 kWh) are not showing the same linear drop in health. Like other EVs, they tend to experience an inital drop of about 10-12% in the first 3-4 years, followed by a levelling and more gradual degradation.
It’s important to limit charging to 75-80% whenever possible and only charge to 100% when necessary. This was confirmed by comprehensive lab testing of 24 Leaf batteries (from 2018+ models); frequent charging to 100% leads to considerably increased battery degradation.
Frustatingly, Nissan removed the ability to set this on the car (which you can do on 24 kWh Leafs). This requires some maths and monitoring when charging.
State of Health (SoH) is an 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 correlate to SoH and, therefore range.
Battery Bars vs SOH
There is a correlation between the State of health and battery bars; however, this is not perfect. There is variation as to exactly when the dashboard bars ‘drop’ (there can be a lag).
Bars
State of Health
24 kWh Range
30 kWh Range
40 kWh Range
12
85% – 100%
115-135 km
142-168 km
230-270 km
11
78.75% – 85%
106-114 km
132-142 km
213-230 km
10
72.5% – 78.75%
98-106 km
122-132 km
9
66.25% – 72.5%
90-98 km
111-122 km
8
60% – 66.25%
81-90 km
100-111 km
7
53.75% – 60%
72-81 km
90-100 km
6
47.5% – 53.75%
63-72 km
79-90 km
Figures are based on a 135 km real-world range (on a brand new 24 kWh Leaf) and 168 km (on a 30 kWh Leaf).
To get the range for a 40 kWh Leaf multiply the SoH by 270 km. E.g. 86% SoH will have about 234 km (WLTP range). This is what you’ll achieve in summer, driving only locally. Winter and any road trip travel will reduce this range.
Leaf model names:
ZE0- 2011-2012
AZE0-0 and AZE0-1 2013-2015
AZE0-2 2016-2017 (starting production in late 2015)
ZE1- 2018-
AC Charge Speed
All NZ New Nissan Leafs (2019-2024) can charge at 6.6 kW. Japanese import Leafs (40 kWh) could be 3.3 kW or 6.6 kW (in Japan a 6.6 kW charging speed is an optional extra).
On a 40 kWh Leaf, you can check your maximum AC charge speed by going to EV Settings -> Charge TimeScreen.
If you see a 6.0kW option, the car can charge at 6.6 kW. If only 3.0kW is shown, the max charge speed is 3.3 kW. Note that this setting does NOT change the actual speed but just the time estimation!
Leafs have three distinct trim levels. X and G trims have heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Base
Mid Level
Top Level
Japan
S
X
G
UK
Acenta
N-Connecta
Tekna
USA
S and S Plus
SV and SV Plus
SL 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.
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Sales and ranking
All Time
10
Last 12 months
6
The Nissan Leaf is the 10th best selling new fully electric vehicle (of all time) - in New Zealand.
Over the past 12 months, the Nissan Leaf was the 6th best selling new EV.
