LOS ANGELES — When it comes to sales of electric vehicles, Nissan’s Leaf is charging ahead.

Nissan Motor Co. has sold 4,134 of the battery-powered electric cars this year. General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet has sold 2,745 of its Volt car, which is technically a plug-in hybrid because it runs on electricity for about 40 miles before a gasoline generator kicks in to extend the car’s range.

Leaf sales are helped by a lower cost — a sticker price starting at $33,630 compared with the Volt’s $41,000. Both vehicles qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Leaf and the Volt went on sale in small numbers late last year. Currently the Volt is available in just California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. GM plans to begin nationwide deliveries before the end of the year.

The Leaf is sold in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington state.