LEAF NISSAN LEAF
Charging the Nissan LEAF
How can you charge your Nissan LEAF ?
Most people will charge their electric vehicle (EV) at home. However public charging stations are also becoming available nationwide. Charging is simple – you connect your electric car to a power source and the 3 LEDs on the dashboard will let you know the current status of your charge. To stop charging the lithium-ion battery of your Nissan Leaf just unplug the cable.
Below you’ll find detailed information on the different ways you can charge your Nissan LEAF lithium-ion battery:
- Charging at home
- Charging Nissan LEAF out and about
- Normal charging
- Rapid charging [Direct Current 50 KW]
Charging your Nissan LEAF at Home
Nissan highly recommends the use of a dedicated home charging unit when charging of Nissan LEAF at home.
What is a home charging unit? A home charging unit is a fixed charging system, consisting of a weatherproof capsule, hardwired to an EV-dedicated line with a charging cable attached to it. The unit allows charging at home at 16 Amps as opposed to the standard cable’s 10 Amps, cutting charge time by 4 hours.
The Nissan recommended home charging unit for your electric vehicle ensures:
- Ease of operation thanks to its attached cable – simply plug in and walk away
- Faster charging performance thanks to a permanent 16 Amp current supply (full charge in 8hrs)
- A certified and warranted installation complying with local wiring regulations
How to acquire a home charging unit for your Nissan LEAF? Prior to purchasing your Nissan LEAF your Electric Vehicle Relationship Manager will introduce you to British or Scottish Gas - the home charging installer in the local area.
A technician from British or Scottish Gas will provide a free, no obligation, home inspection to see if your home can support a home charger. They will ascertain the best location for a charger and provide you with a detailed quote.
Charging Nissan LEAF out and about
A 6-metre cable is delivered with your Nissan LEAF, allowing you to charge the car at public charging stations (on-street, parking, shopping centres…etc) in about 12 hours on 220V – 10 Amp.
The cable has a domestic plug on one end and an EV plug which connects to the Nissan LEAF’s socket.
All Nissan LEAFs are equipped with a unique navigation system, which displays the closest available charging station for your Nissan LEAF – and even updates to find new ones as they become available.
In case there isn’t a public charging station nearby, and as an emergency measure, it is possible to use your cable on a domestic socket provided it complies with the below specifications.
As the cable draws a constant 10 Amp, you must ensure that the socket and household wiring complies with the latest electrical wiring standards and regulations. If you are unsure about the suitability of a charging socket, please contact a qualified electrician for advice.
Occasional charge is performed using the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment).NISSAN recommends using a dedicated electrical circuit and outlet. The dedicated circuit is used to help prevent circuit damage or the circuit breaker from tripping due to the high draw of charging the Li-ion battery. If the circuit is shared and another electrical device is being used at the same time, that the vehicle is charging, the breaker may trip.
Rapid charging [Direct Current 50 KW] This charging method allows you to achieve 80% battery charge in around 30 minutes.
The rapid chargers are displayed on your Nissan LEAF’s satellite navigation screen.
From March 2011, all Nissan EV accredited dealers will have a rapid charger at their dealership
Public charging infrastructure Many regions in the UK are developing charging infrastructure to support the development of electric vehicles. In the UK there are ‘Plugged in Places’ the length of the country – each with ambitious plans to invest in local EV charging infrastructure.
Contact your Electric Vehicle dealership or local authority to discover where charging points are in your area.
Video of Myth #2 : LEAF Charging
showing Myth #2 : LEAF Charging