2015 NISSAN LEAF Owners Manual

CH-6Charging

This vehicle is an electric vehicle and it requires
electricity to operate. The Li-ion battery is the only
source of power to operate the vehicle. It is
important to conserve power and plan your
charging needs when you drive to avoid com-
pletely discharging the Li-ion battery and being
unable to drive.
There are three methods available to charge the
Li-ion battery;
• Normal charge
• Trickle charge
• Quick charge (if so equipped)
The time to completely charge the vehicle Li-ion
battery varies, based on the state of charge of the
Li-ion battery, condition and age of the Li-ion
battery, ambient temperature and condition of the
power source connected to the vehicle. The
charging times provided in this manual are esti-
mates only and may vary.
Normal charge
NISSAN recommends using normal charging for
usual charging of the vehicle. Use of quick charge
should be minimized in order to help prolong
Li-ion battery life.
Normal charging uses an SAE J1772 compliant
charging device that can be installed on a dedi-cated 220V/240V circuit in your home. NISSAN
recommends the installation of a home charging
dock by a licensed professional electrician.
NISSAN has contracted with a company to assist
you in purchasing and installing a charger. Con-
tact your NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
It takes approximately 4–7 hours (depending on
the charger) in order to charge the Li-ion battery
from discharged (low battery charge warning
light illuminated) to charged.
See “How to normal charge” in this section.
Trickle charge
Trickle charging is not recommended for regular
use. Trickle charge can be used when it is nec-
essary to perform an emergency charge at a
destination such as a friend’s house.
Trickle charge uses the EVSE (Electric Vehicle
Supply Equipment) or an SAE J1772 compliant
cord set to connect the vehicle to an AC 110 -
120 volt, 15A dedicated outlet. The outlet should
be protected by a dedicated circuit breaker or
fuse to avoid overloading the circuit or other
electrical hazard.
It takes approximately 21 hours to charge the
Li-ion battery from discharged (low battery
charge warning light illuminated) to charged.
See “How to trickle charge” in this section.
Quick charge (if so equipped)
Quick charge capability is only available on ve-
hicles manufactured with the quick charge op-
tion, which includes the quick charge port. If your
vehicle does not have such a port, quick charging
cannot be used.
A vehicle equipped with a quick charge port is
compatible with most CHAdeMO (Japanese in-
dustry standard) connectors on charging sta-
tions. Charging stations using this standard are
UL certified and safe to use in the US. While
supported by NISSAN, this connector may not
become the US SAE standard.
Quick charging is possible (even several times a
day) if the battery temperature is not near the red
zone. If the battery temperature reaches the red
zone, in order to protect the battery, quick charg-
ing is not allowed and the power limitation mode
will be triggered.
Public charging:
This vehicle is compatible with any public charg-
ing station that is SAE J1772 compliant. If you
attempt to charge from a non-compliant charging
station, you may not receive a complete charge,
or you may not be able to charge at all due to
ChargingCH-7

hardware and software differences. NISSAN is
working with state, municipalities utility compa-
nies and others to assist in the preparation of
markets and infrastructure, but makes no repre-
sentations that public charging stations will be
available in locations where you wish to operate
the vehicle, nor can NISSAN predict the period of
time it may take for public charging infrastructure
to be developed in your area. Depending on
where you live or drive, there may not be sufficient
public charging stations available to meet your
particular needs for driving range and charging
away from your home. Trip planning is therefore
important, and you should plan trips with these
facts in mind.
Quick charge uses public charging stations (up
to 50 kW of power) .
The time needed to charge the Li-ion battery from
discharged (low battery charge warning light illu-
minated) to 80% charged using the a quick char-
ger depends on many factors including the Li-ion
battery temperature and the type of quick charger
used.
It may take more time to charge the Li-ion battery
using the quick charger if the vehicle is parked in
a cold location (for example below 32°F (0°C))
for a long time.The Li-ion battery temperature gauge can be
used to estimate the approximate time needed to
charge the Li-ion battery to 80%.
Li-ion battery
temperature gauge Estimated charge
time
A3 or fewer seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 90 minutes
B4-5 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30-90
minutes
C6-7 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30
minutes
D8-9 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30-60
minutes
Li-ion battery
temperature gauge Estimated charge
time
E10 or more seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 60 minutes
NOTE:
Charging time is typically limited to 60 min-
utes when using a quick charger. Press the
start switch on the quick charger after it
stops if additional charge time is necessary
to reach an 80% charge.
See “How to quick charge” in this section.
Power Limitation Mode
This mode protects the health and operation of
the vehicle’s Li-ion battery. This mode operates in
certain extreme conditions (heat, cold, low state
of charge) . Power available to vehicle systems,
including its traction motor, is limited resulting in
limited performance, acceleration and top speed.
Charging may be automatically terminated, espe-
cially with repeated quick charging in extreme hot
weather.
Checking Li-ion battery charge
The three methods for checking amount of
charge are as follows.
CH-8Charging

• Check by using the Li-ion battery availablecharge gauge on the meter when the power
switch is placed in the ON position. See “Li-ion
battery available charge gauge” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section and “Li-ion battery
low charge warning” in the “Instruments and
controls” section.
• Check by using the charging status indicator light. See “Charging status indicator lights” in
this section.
NOTE:
•During the charge operation, charge con-
tinues when the power switch is placed in
the ON position.
• The Li-ion battery cannot be charged if the
quick charge connector and the normal
charge connector are connected at the
same time. If another charge connector is
connected mid-charge, charging will stop.
• For safety reasons, it is not possible to
switch to the READY to drive position
while a charge connector is connected.
• During charging, it is possible that the
radio may be inaudible due to noise by the
electromagnetic wave.
HOW TO NORMAL CHARGE
WARNING
• If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
• If you have an implantable cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardio-
vascular defibrillator, while the Li-ion
battery is charging:
– Do not stay inside the vehicle.
– Do not go inside the vehicle, for ex-ample to remove or place an item in
the passenger compartment.
– Do not open the rear hatch, for ex- ample to remove or place an item in
the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation of
electric medical device and result in
serious personal injury or death. • Be sure to follow the precautions for
using the charger that can be installed
in your home. Failing to do so could
result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION
• Do not use any charging equipment that is not compatible with the LEAF.
Doing so could prevent the Li-ion bat-
tery from charging properly or could
result in damage to the vehicle or Li-
ion battery.
• Normal charge uses the charging device (AC 220 - 240 volt, 20A) that can be installed in your
home to charge the Li-ion battery.
• Immediate charge, charging timer and remote charge (models with navigation system) can be
performed in the normal charge mode. See
“Charging methods”.
• The Genuine NISSAN charging equipment communicates with the vehicle before Li-ion
battery charging starts. If this communication
does not occur because other equipment is
used, the Li-ion battery will not charge.
ChargingCH-9

• NISSAN recommends that you connect thenormal charge cable when getting out of the
vehicle, even if it is not going to be used. By
doing this, you can get the most out of the
remote climate control (models with navigation
system) and Climate Ctrl. Timer functions the
next time you use the vehicle.
To start normal charge:
1. Push the P (Park) position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position and apply the
parking brake.
2. When charging the Li-ion battery, place the power switch in the OFF position. When the
power switch is in the ON position, the Li-ion
battery will not start charging.
3. Open the charge port lid and charge port cap. See “Charge port lid” and “Charge port cap”
in the “Pre-driving checks and adjustments”
section. 4. Connect the charge connector to the charge
port. If it is connected normally, a beep will
sound once.
5. If charging has started or if the battery is waiting for charging timer, a beep will sound
twice and the charging status indicator light
display will change. See “Charging status in-
dicator light”. To stop normal charge:
1. Ensure that the charge connector lock is not
engaged. For more information, see “Charge
connector lock switch” in this section.
2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock and remove the charge con-
nector from the charge port and properly
store it.
3. After closing the charge port cap on the charge port, close the charge port lid.
CH-10Charging

NOTE:
•To stop charging mid-charge, remove the
charge connector. Charging automatically
stops.
HOW TO TRICKLE CHARGE
WARNING
• If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
• If you have an implantable cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardio-
vascular defibrillator, while the Li-ion
battery is charging:
– Do not stay inside the vehicle.
– Do not go inside the vehicle, for ex-ample to remove or place an item in
the passenger compartment.
– Do not open the rear hatch, for ex- ample to remove or place an item in
the cargo area. Charging may affect the operation of
electric medical device and result in
serious personal injury or death.
• In order to avoid an electric shock or fire due to a short circuit, connect to
GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuit
breaker and use a waterproof electri-
cal ground socket.
• The NISSAN Genuine EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging
device provided with your vehicle
draws 12amps continuously while
charging the Li-ion battery. Do not plug
in to any electrical circuit unless it is
inspected by a licensed electrician to
confirm that the electrical circuit can
accept a 12 amp draw. Any electrical
circuit has a much higher likelihood of
being compromised in the following
conditions listed below.
– Improper use of the charger mayresult in a fire and serious injury or
death.
– Do not use this charger in structures more than 40 years old.
– Do not use this charger in structures using fuse-based circuit protection.
Use only with electrical circuits pro-
tected by circuit breakers. – Do not use this charger on electrical
circuits with two-prong outlets.
– Do not use charger if outlet appears damaged or will not hold plug firmly.
– Discontinue charger use immedi- ately if plug or outlet becomes hot
to the touch or if you notice any
unusual odors.
– Do not use charger if other devices are plugged into the same circuit.
– Never use extension cords or plug adapters with charger.
– Do not operate with a damaged cord.
– Always unplug the charger when not in use.
– When unplugging, be sure to pull by the plug and not the cord.
– The device has parts that may spark inside. Do not use it where gasoline,
paint, or flammable liquids are used
or stored.
– Do not use if a malfunction occurs or if charger has been damaged in any
manner. Return to a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer for replacement.
– The charger contains no user ser- viceable parts. Do not attempt to
repair the charger, doing so will void
your warranty.
ChargingCH-11

•
Pass the lower side belt of the EVSE
(Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
case securely through the fastener on
the bottom of the luggage board. If the
case suddenly becomes loose, it may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
• Only charge using a standard 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet
(For example do not use an electric
generator) . Failure to do so may cause
charging to fail and could cause dam-
age to the Li-ion battery charging
equipment due to power surges.
• NISSAN recommends using genuine NISSAN charging equipment to charge
the vehicle. Using non-NISSAN equip-
ment could cause the Li-ion battery to
not charge correctly and may damage
the Li-ion battery. • Trickle charging is performed using an AC 110 -
120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet using
the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
provided with the vehicle.
• The genuine NISSAN EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging equipment or
trickle charge cable performs a communication
function with the vehicle before Li-ion charging
starts. If this communication does not occur
because other equipment is used, the Li-ion
battery will not charge.
• Immediate charge, charging timer and remote charge (models with navigation system) can be
performed in the trickle charge mode. See
“Charging methods”.
CH-12Charging

To start trickle charging:
*:You can pass a rope through the hole
Aon the
control box in order to hang it up while the Li-ion
battery is charging.
1. Push the P (Park) position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position and apply the
parking brake.
2. When charging the Li-ion battery, place the power switch in the OFF position. When the
power switch is in the ON position, the Li-ion
battery will not start charging.
3. Open the charge port lid. See “Charge port lid” in the “Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments” section. 4. Take out the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) or trickle charge cable from the
rear hatch.
5. Connect the electrical plug to the 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet. If it is
connected normally, the green light on the
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
control box indicator light illuminates. See
“EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)”.
6. Open the charge port cap. See “Charge port cap” in the “Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments” section. 7. Remove the safety cap from charge
connector.
ChargingCH-13