If you just got a Nissan Leaf or are planning to get one, one of the many questions you probably have is whether you can charge your Nissan Leaf at a Tesla Charging Station.
Those Tesla superchargers are everywhere and they are sweet. It would be nice if you could get some of that too for your Nissan Leaf.
So, the big question is, will you be able to charge your Nissan Leaf at a Tesla Charging Station?
Unfortunately, the answer is No
Why Can You Not Charge a Nissan Leaf with a Tesla Charger?
You cannot use a Tesla charger on a Nissan Leaf because Tesla’s charging connector can only work on a Tesla car, especially if it is a Tesla Supercharger.
Tesla is the sole proprietor of its charger, and handles everything from the power delivery, to payment and control via the car’s infotainment system. This does not give room for this charger to work on a different EV except Tesla somehow decides to open up its network and protocols to other automobile manufacturers.
Plus, the plug design of the Tesla is quite unique and it is impossible for the Nissan Leaf charging cable to directly plug into its Supercharger/destination charger.
How Do You Fast Charge Your Nissan Leaf?
The Nissan Leaf uses a different fast-charging connector known as CHAdeMO. This means, instead of looking to a Tesla Supercharger, you will have to search for an EV Charging station that allows for CHAdeMO charging.
Some stations that support CHAdeMO are ChargePoint, Electrify America and EVGo. You can also search for charging stations using the PlugShare app – simply install the app, register and it will search for charging stations closest to you that support your car’s charging type.
Will Tesla Ever Accommodate Other EVs?
It is difficult to tell whether this will ever happen, but there have been rumors that Tesla will in fact let other EVs charge cars with its supercharger. The details are still unclear but this may mean a lot of things, both for other EVs and Tesla.
For the Nissan Leaf, its fast-charging days are looking bleak with Tesla not opening up to it and Electrify America stopping installation of fresh CHAdeMO plugs in its new stations.
Tesla allowing Nissan Leaf to use its Supercharger will be a big deal, especially for the older Nissan Leaf versions because these cars have a limited range and it is difficult to find charging stations that support its charging.
The downside to Tesla accommodating Nissan Leaf charging is how long it takes for a Nissan Leaf EV to charge completely. On average, it takes about an hour, and this may be inconvenient for Tesla cars.
In conclusion, it would be a great thing for Nissan Leaf if Tesla’s Supercharger could accommodate it. However, it may not be such a great thing for Tesla. It is best to have your own EV home charging station so that you can charge your Nissan Leaf whenever you want and for as long as you want, especially overnight.
Book an appointment with us at The Electric Connection to install a home EV charging station.