Nissan Leaf battery size: 24, 30, 40 and 62 kWh compared
Nissan Leaf battery size by year: 24, 30, 40 and 62 kWh versions, real range, how to identify each and how capacity drives used prices.
· 6 min read
The Nissan Leaf battery size is 24 kWh (2011–2017), 30 kWh (late 2015–2017), 40 kWh (2018 onward) or 62 kWh for the e+ (2019 onward); the third-generation Leaf launched in 2026 adds 52 and 75 kWh packs with liquid cooling. Battery size is the biggest single driver of a used Leaf's range and price, so identify it from the documents and a diagnostic read-out, never from the advert alone.
Which Nissan Leaf battery sizes exist?
There are six Leaf battery sizes across three generations. The first two generations use passively air-cooled packs; the third generation switches to liquid thermal management.
| Battery | Generation and years | Motor output | Official range when new | Rough real-world range when new |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 kWh | 1st gen, 2011–2017 | 80 kW | 199 km (NEDC) | around 120–150 km |
| 30 kWh | 1st gen, late 2015–2017 | 80 kW | 250 km (NEDC) | around 150–190 km |
| 40 kWh | 2nd gen, 2018–2024 | 110 kW | 270 km (WLTP) | around 220–260 km |
| 62 kWh (e+) | 2nd gen, 2019–2024 | 160 kW | 385 km (WLTP) | around 300–360 km |
| 52 kWh | 3rd gen, 2026– | 130 kW | see Nissan data | not yet established |
| 75 kWh | 3rd gen, 2026– | 160 kW | around 600 km (WLTP) | not yet established |
Official figures come from different test cycles: NEDC figures for early cars are much more optimistic than WLTP. Real-world range depends on speed, temperature, heater use and, above all, battery health.
For a used car, the "when new" figure is only a starting point. A 24 kWh Leaf that has lost a quarter of its capacity offers a range closer to 100 km. Our guide to Nissan Leaf battery life explains how to measure what is left.
How do I identify a Leaf's battery size?
Identify the battery from four sources, ideally all of them:
- Generation. First-generation cars (2011–2017) have the rounded original body and 24 or 30 kWh. Second-generation cars (2018–2024) have the sharper body and 40 or 62 kWh. The third generation from 2026 is a crossover-style car.
- Registration documents and VIN. The model code and the electrical data in the documents point to the version. A Nissan dealer can confirm the battery from the VIN.
- Badges and trim. The 62 kWh cars carry "e+" badging. On first-generation cars, the 30 kWh pack was offered on Acenta and Tekna trims, not on the entry Visia.
- Diagnostic read-out. An OBD2 adapter with an app such as LeafSpy reads the pack's capacity in amp-hours and its state of health directly.
Be careful with adverts. Sellers sometimes confuse kW (motor output) with kWh (battery capacity), list the original range instead of today's, or describe a battery upgrade without documentation. If a first-generation car claims 40 kWh, it has been converted; see our guide to the Nissan Leaf battery upgrade.
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Request accessWhat range does each version give today?
Today's range is the original range multiplied by the battery's state of health, minus losses from weather and driving. A quick estimate for a used car:
- 24 kWh at 75% health: roughly 90–110 km in mild weather, less in winter.
- 30 kWh at 80% health: roughly 120–150 km.
- 40 kWh at 90% health: roughly 200–230 km.
- 62 kWh at 92% health: roughly 280–330 km.
These are rules of thumb for explaining range to buyers, not guarantees. Always test the car and show the measured state of health.
Charging also differs. First- and second-generation Leafs use CHAdeMO for DC rapid charging, a standard that is becoming less common at new European charging sites, which affects buyers who travel long distances. The third-generation Leaf uses CCS. AC charging speed depends on the on-board charger fitted to each car.
How capacity drives Leaf prices
Battery size and generation explain most of the price gap between used Leafs. According to listings tracked by MyCarDealer in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Italy, France, Austria, Spain and Sweden in October 2026:
| Leaf model years | Typical batteries | Listings | Median asking price | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2015 | 24 kWh | 62 | €5,000 | 100,100 km |
| 2016–2017 | 24 or 30 kWh | 62 | €6,900 | 92,000 km |
| 2018–2019 | 40 kWh, some 62 kWh | 214 | €12,355 | 79,300 km |
| 2020–2021 | 40 or 62 kWh | 224 | €14,597 | 53,000 km |
The big step is between generations: a 2018–2019 second-generation Leaf is worth almost twice as much as a 2016–2017 car. Within a generation, the larger battery commands a premium, but battery health can matter as much as the label.
How much more is a 62 kWh Leaf worth?
A 62 kWh e+ is worth more than a 40 kWh Leaf of the same year and mileage, because it offers clearly more range and more power. The premium depends on the market: in countries where buyers drive long distances, the e+ is far easier to sell; in cities, a 40 kWh car may be enough for most buyers.
To find the premium in your market:
- Compare only cars of the same year ±1 and similar mileage.
- Separate e+ and 40 kWh listings; a combined median hides the difference.
- Adjust for battery health, which can narrow or widen the gap.
- Check the remaining battery warranty; most e+ cars still have cover. Our guide to the Nissan Leaf battery warranty explains the terms.
MyCarDealer values each car against comparable listings in your country, matched by model, generation, engine and year, and shows the net margin after VAT and costs. You can test one Leaf with the free valuation.
Which Leaf battery size should a dealer stock?
Stock the battery size that matches your buyers. For most dealers, second-generation 40 and 62 kWh cars are the core stock: they have usable range, often some warranty left and a broad buyer base. First-generation 24 and 30 kWh cars work as low-cost second cars, priced on measured health and sold with honest range information. Our article on used electric cars for dealers covers how to build an EV stock mix.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Leaf battery sizes exist?
The Leaf has been sold with 24, 30, 40 and 62 kWh batteries, and the third-generation Leaf from 2026 adds 52 and 75 kWh versions. First-generation cars have 24 or 30 kWh, second-generation cars 40 or 62 kWh.
How do I identify a Leaf's battery size?
Check the generation, the registration documents and VIN, the badges (62 kWh cars are badged e+) and the trim. A diagnostic read-out with an OBD2 adapter confirms the capacity and state of health.
What kind of 12-volt battery is in a Nissan Leaf?
Besides the large traction battery, every Leaf has a conventional 12V auxiliary battery that powers the electronics and lets the car start. A weak 12V battery is a common cause of no-start faults, and it is cheap to replace.
What range does a 62 kWh Leaf have?
The 62 kWh Leaf e+ was rated at 385 km WLTP when new. A used car with a healthy battery typically manages around 280–330 km in mild weather, less in winter or at motorway speeds.
Does the new 2026 Leaf affect used Leaf prices?
A new generation usually puts some pressure on used prices of the previous model, especially for nearly new cars. The effect on older 24 and 30 kWh Leafs is smaller, because they already sell on price and battery health.