How To Charge A Nissan LEAF With A Level 2 Charger? (Explained)

If you’re a first-time LEAF owner, learning how to charge your car effectively can be a major hassle. Especially considering there are multiple forms of charging, and each one of them comes with a different set of instructions. Today, we’ll look at all you need to know to charge your Nissan LEAF with a level 2 charger effectively. Here’s the quick answer:

Every Nissan LEAF is compatible with level 2 charging at public charging stations. However, the LEAF doesn’t come standard with the EVSE-unit or the 220-240 volt, 50 amps line needed to do this at home. Installing both of these costs $550 – $1,000.

However, that certainly doesn’t answer everything you need to know. In the article below, we’ll jump into how to identify if your Nissan LEAF has a normal charging option and how to use this step-by-step. We’ll also discuss how long charging takes in less ideal conditions and how much all of this costs. Read on!

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Can Every Nissan LEAF Use A Level 2 Normal Charger?

In principle, all model years of the Nissan LEAF can use a level 2 charger (also known as a normal charger). However, the Nissan LEAF doesn’t come standard with all the extra equipment required to normal charge at home or the office.

To have a level 2 charger installed at home, you’ll need a 220 – 240 volt connection and an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) unit. An electrician installing a 220-240 volt line will cost $250 – $400, whereas an EVSE unit will cost $300 – $600 if it’s a wall-mounted unit.

How To Use A Level 2 Charger With A Nissan LEAF?

There are several situations we need to discuss when talking about charging a Nissan LEAF with a level 2 charger. These are: what type of charger to use, how to start charging, how to finish it, and what to do when charging is cut-off too early. Below, there are instructions for all of this.

What Type Of Charger To Use?

Besides the needed equipment, it’s essential to know what charger type the Nissan LEAF requires for this type of charging. In the case of the LEAF, you have to use an SAE J1772 charger, as pictured below. Make sure the EVSE you buy or use has this type of charger connected to it. Read here everything you need to know about the different charger types a Nissan LEAF uses.

You may have heard about other types of chargers as well. These include the CHAdeMO and CCS charger types. It’s good to know that these types of chargers are used for level 3 charging. Level 3 charging is also possible with some types of Nissan LEAF. However, the SAE J1772 charger types are almost universally used for level 2 charging.

Start Charging

First, push the P (Park) position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position and apply the parking brake. Then, place the power switch in the OFF position. Charging will not start when the power switch is in the ON position. Then, open the right charge port lid and charge port cap, as shown in the image below. Don’t insert the charger in the left charger plug because this one is used for level 3 charging.

If it is connected correctly, a beep will sound once. If charging has started or the battery is waiting for the charging timer, a beep will sound twice, and the charging status indicator light display will change.

In the image below, you can see what charge the car has. When all three lights are illuminated and don’t flash, this means the car is charged at least 80% (80% is ideal for the lifespan of the Li-on battery). When none of the lights are illuminated, this means the car isn’t charging.

Finish Charging

Ensure that the charge connector lock is not engaged. Press the button on the charge connecter (as displayed in the image below), release the lock and remove the charge connector from the charge port and properly store it. Close the charge port cap. After closing the charge port cap on the charge port, close the charge port lid.

Charging Modes

After or before connecting the Nissan LEAF level 2 charger, you can decide how you want your Nissan LEAF to charge itself.

Immediate Charge

First, there’s the immediate charge switch that looks like the image below. You can push this button after connecting or before connecting the level 2 charger. However, if you do it before, make sure the car is already turned off; otherwise, it doesn’t register. After pressing the button, you have 15 minutes to connect the charger.

Charge Timer

Secondly, you have the option to put timers for when and where your Nissan LEAF should charge itself. You find these timers under ‘EV Settings’ -> ‘Charger Timer1’. Here, you can set the exact time of the day you want the Nissan LEAF to charge.

If your Nissan LEAF has a navigation module, it will also allow you to set the exact days you want the cars to start charging. Furthermore, these modules also have an option in which the Nissan LEAF will only begin charging when the car is connected to a charger at home. If the navigation registers you’re not at home, charging won’t initiate.

The Nissan LEAF will start charging automatically once it registers it’s that time of the day, the vehicle is turned off, it’s at the right location, and it’s connected to a level 2 charger.

How Long Does It Take To Charge A Nissan LEAF With A Level 2 Charger?

How long it takes to level 2 charge a Nissan LEAF mainly depends on the vehicle’s battery size. Charging a 24kWh Nissan LEAF from almost 0% to 100% with a level 2 charger takes approximately 4 hours, 6 hours with a 30kWh battery, 8 hours with a 40kWh battery, and 11.5 hours with a 62kWh battery.

Sources

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!

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Battery	Home	Public
24kWh	$3.60	$6.00
30kWh	$4.50	$7.50
40kWh	$6.00	$10.00
62kWh	$9.30	$15.50