Quick Highlights:
- Two ports handle different jobs with J1772 for everyday AC charging and NACS reserved for fast DC road-trip power.
- The Leaf is finally Supercharger friendly so you can pull up to a Tesla station and plug straight in without adapters.
- Charging speed tops out at 150 kW DC which takes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 35 minutes.
- Public CCS fast chargers are still an option as long as you carry the right adapter.
- Whether it’s an overnight charge at home or a quick stop on the highway the Leaf now covers every routine.
When the Nissan Leaf first hit the market back in 2010, it broke ground as one of the first affordable, practical EVs you could actually buy. Fifteen years later, Nissan is doubling down on that same mission. The all-new 2026 Leaf, the brand says, will be the most affordable electric car on sale in the U.S., with a starting price of $29,990 for the S+ model.
But there’s more than just value at play. For years, the Leaf’s reliance on the old CHAdeMO fast-charging port became a growing headache as the rest of the industry shifted to CCS and, more recently, Tesla’s NACS standard. That changes now. The 2026 Leaf adopts a dual-port setup—J1772 for everyday AC charging and NACS for DC fast charging—which finally gives owners direct access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Add in a longer range of up to 303 miles per charge and a cleaner, more modern design, and Nissan’s long-running EV looks ready to step back into the spotlight.
Charging Made Simple
Pop open the flap on the driver’s side and you’ll see a SAE J1772 plug, the go-to connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging in North America. This is the port most Leaf drivers will rely on—slow and steady overnight in the garage, or a quicker boost from a 240-volt public station, with speeds ranging between 7 and 11 kW.
Swing over to the passenger side and things step up. Here sits a Tesla-style NACS port, giving the Leaf direct access to Superchargers without the need for an adapter. Hooked up to DC fast charging, it can draw up to 150 kW, enough to take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 35 minutes.
And if you can’t find a Tesla station, the Leaf still works with public CCS fast chargers using an adapter. Between the two ports, Nissan has erased the CHAdeMO headache that held the car back for years, finally making the Leaf as road-trip ready as its rivals, including the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6.
Nissan Leaf Charging Comparison
| Connector | Location | Charging Type | Speed | Adapter Needed? |
| J1772 (AC) | Driver’s side | Level 1 & Level 2 (home/public) | 7–11 kW | No |
| NACS (DC Fast) | Passenger side | Tesla Superchargers | Up to 150 kW | No |
| CCS (via adapter) | — | Public fast chargers | Varies (100–150 kW) | Yes |
Do You Still Need an Adapter?
The short answer is yes, in a couple of cases. Tesla’s home AC wall chargers still won’t talk to the Leaf’s NACS port, since that connection is limited to DC fast charging. For anything at home or Level 2, you’ll still be plugging into the J1772 side.
Out on the road, most drivers will be fine tapping into Tesla’s Supercharger network, but if you plan to rely on public CCS fast chargers, you’ll want to keep a CCS-to-NACS adapter in the glovebox. They’re becoming easier to find, and having one means you’re covered almost anywhere.
So while the Leaf finally plugs straight into a Supercharger, a truly universal setup still comes down to carrying one small piece of hardware.
Charging Choices Without the Headaches
By keeping J1772 for AC charging and adding NACS for DC fast charging, Nissan has given the Leaf a kind of flexibility most EVs don’t offer. At home, you can stick with the universal J1772 standard for easy overnight charging. On the highway, you can now roll straight into a Tesla Supercharger and plug in without adapters. And if you find yourself at a public CCS fast charger, a simple adapter has you covered there too.
It’s a practical solution for a car that still targets first-time EV buyers while keeping longtime Leaf owners in the fold.
FAQs
Will 2026 Nissan Leaf first be able to use Tesla Superchargers?
It can and that is the big news. Nissan has abandoned the legacy CHAdeMO connector and equipped their cars with a NACS port meaning you simply pull up to a Supercharger and go. There are no adapters or hacks or someday.
How long does it take to charge?
On a Tesla Supercharger, expect about 35 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent. That’s road-trip fast. At home, it goes back to a different tempo: a Level 2 charger through the J1772 port typically takes most of the night, around 7 to 9 hours depending on your installation.
Is it necessary that I continue purchasing an adapter?
Unless you know you are going to fast charge using public CCS chargers. The Leaf is great with Tesla Superchargers and the J1772 that you find all over, but CCS still requires a tad bit of assistance. It is economical insurance to carry a CCS-to-NACS adapter in a glove box.
Is CHAdeMO still lurking around on the Leaf?
No, it has disappeared. CHAdeMO had its day in the sun and now the industry has moved on and now Nissan does as well. For 2026, it’s all NACS and J1772.
Why P2 ports as opposed to P1?
It works. At-home charging remains the province of J1772, but with the NACS Tesla has opened up its network to road trips. Together they make the Leaf more relaxed to live with than ever.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf doesn’t just update its charging hardware, it solves the one problem that made owning one feel complicated. With J1772 for the daily grind and NACS for road trips, the Leaf finally speaks the same language as the rest of the EV world. Add in a 303-mile range and a sub-$30K starting price, and Nissan’s veteran EV suddenly feels like the people’s choice all over again — just as it did back in 2010.
Source: Nissan
Read More:
