Nissan Leaf: cost to run
Electric (EV) · Wagon · Front-Wheel Drive · EPA model year 2026
The Nissan Leaf (2026) is rated at 114 MPGe by the EPA and costs about $700 a year in electricity (EPA estimate, 15,000 mi/yr). That is roughly 5¢ per mile at June 2026 EIA prices, or $53 to drive 1,000 miles. It has an EPA range of 288 miles and no tailpipe emissions. OwnRate's transparent 5-year cost-to-own estimate is about $31,950. It ranks #11 of 70 models for lowest running cost.
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data. Data as of June 2026.
Nissan Leaf key figures
| Metric | Nissan Leaf |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Electric (EV) |
| Model year (latest EPA data) | 2026 |
| Body / class | Wagon (Small Station Wagons) |
| Combined efficiency (EPA MPGe) | 114 MPGe |
| Electricity use | 30 kWh / 100 mi |
| EPA electric range | 288 miles |
| EPA estimated annual fuel cost | $700 / year |
| Estimated 5-year fuel cost (EPA basis) | $3,500 |
| Cost to drive 1,000 miles (at EIA prices) | $53 |
| Cost per mile (at EIA prices) | 5¢ |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 0 g/mi (no tailpipe) |
| Cheapest-to-run rank (1 = lowest of 70) | #11 |
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data (2023–2027 model years); EIA prices (June 2026). Data as of June 2026.
Sources: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov · EIA gasoline · EIA electricity. EPA fuel cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr. Verify before relying on it.
What it costs to run the Nissan Leaf
The EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for the Nissan Leaf is $700, which is what appears on the window sticker. Using June 2026 EIA national-average prices ($3.40/gal for gasoline and $0.18/kWh for electricity) and 15,000 miles a year, OwnRate estimates about $792 a year, or roughly 5¢ per mile. Because it runs on electricity, the cost depends heavily on your local kWh price — cheap overnight rates can cut it sharply, while public DC fast-charging can cost much more.
Estimated 5-year cost to own the Nissan Leaf
Running cost is only part of ownership. Below is OwnRate's transparent 5-year estimate. The fuel/energy line uses the EPA's published annual fuel cost ($700 × 5). The maintenance, insurance and depreciation lines are documented assumptions by body type and powertrain — not model-specific quotes — so treat the total as a ballpark, not a price. See the methodology for the exact assumptions.
| Cost line (5 years) | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel / energy (EPA 5-yr) | $3,500 |
| Maintenance & repairs (est.) | $2,700 |
| Insurance (est.) | $8,250 |
| Depreciation (est.) | $17,500 |
| Estimated 5-year cost to own | $31,950 |
Source: EPA fuel cost + OwnRate documented ownership assumptions. Data as of June 2026.
Estimate only. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance vary widely by trim, location, driver and market. Use the cost-to-own calculator to adjust the inputs.
Similar vehicles by running cost
The Nissan Leaf compared with peers in the same category, nearest on EPA annual fuel cost:
| Vehicle | Type | Efficiency | EPA fuel / yr | ¢/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf (this vehicle) | Electric (EV) | 114 MPGe | $700 | 5¢ |
| BMW i4 | Electric (EV) | 108 MPGe | $700 | 6¢ |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Electric (EV) | 110 MPGe | $700 | 5¢ |
| Kia EV6 | Electric (EV) | 106 MPGe | $700 | 6¢ |
| Kia Niro EV | Electric (EV) | 113 MPGe | $700 | 5¢ |
| Tesla Model X | Electric (EV) | 105 MPGe | $700 | 6¢ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Nissan Leaf cost to run per year?
The EPA estimates the Nissan Leaf (2026) costs about $700 per year in electricity, based on 15,000 miles a year at the EPA's reference prices. At June 2026 EIA prices, OwnRate's own estimate is roughly $792 per year, or about 5¢ per mile. It ranks #11 of 70 models tracked for lowest running cost. Estimate — verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What is the Nissan Leaf's range and efficiency?
The Nissan Leaf has an EPA combined rating of 114 MPGe, uses about 30 kWh per 100 miles, and has an EPA all-electric range of 288 miles. That makes it #6 of 19 by MPGe among EVs.
How much does it cost to drive the Nissan Leaf 1,000 miles?
At June 2026 EIA average prices ($3.40/gal gasoline, $0.18/kWh electricity), driving the Nissan Leaf 1,000 miles costs about $53 in electricity — roughly 5¢ per mile. Use the fuel-cost calculator to plug in your own price and mileage.
What is the 5-year cost to own a Nissan Leaf?
OwnRate estimates the Nissan Leaf at about $31,950 over 5 years: $3,500 fuel/energy (EPA basis), plus illustrative $2,700 maintenance, $8,250 insurance and $17,500 depreciation. Only the fuel figure is EPA data; the rest are documented assumptions, not model-specific quotes — see the methodology.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Fuel economy, EPA annual fuel cost, electric range and CO2: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov (US public domain, 2023–2027 model years). Fuel prices: EIA (June 2026). The 5-year cost-to-own combines the EPA fuel cost with OwnRate's documented ownership assumptions (see methodology) and is an estimate only — not financial advice. Verify with the primary sources and a dealer before buying.
Last updated: 2026-06-20