Vehicle comparison
Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Nissan Leaf
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Chevrolet Bolt EV wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Chevrolet Bolt EV costs about $533 per year, roughly $31 less than the Nissan Leaf. Over 5 years, that's about $157 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Chevrolet Bolt EV | Nissan Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | EV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 131 | 121 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 109 | 98 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 120 | 111 |
| Battery (kWh) | 65 kWh | 40 kWh |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.044 | $0.047 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly charging spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Chevrolet Bolt EV | Nissan Leaf | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $356/yr · $30/mo | $376/yr · $31/mo | $21 (Chevrolet Bolt EV) |
| 12,000 | $533/yr · $44/mo | $565/yr · $47/mo | $31 (Chevrolet Bolt EV) |
| 15,000 | $667/yr · $56/mo | $706/yr · $59/mo | $39 (Chevrolet Bolt EV) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Chevrolet Bolt EVBest for road trips
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Chevrolet Bolt EVBest for families
Chevrolet Bolt EV
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Chevrolet Bolt EVBest for lowest running cost
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Chevrolet Bolt EVHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Chevrolet Bolt EV costs about $533 per year vs $565 for the Nissan Leaf — roughly $31 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf?
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is rated around 120 combined MPGe versus 111 MPGe for the Nissan Leaf. Highway figures are 109 vs 98.
How much will I spend on charging over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2667 for the Chevrolet Bolt EV and $2824 for the Nissan Leaf, a difference of roughly $157.
Is the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Chevrolet Bolt EV wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Chevrolet Bolt EV is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.