Can the battery be replaced on 1st Gen LEAF (Jan 2011)

[cgott42]

Can they put a newer battery in the 1st Gen (Jan 2011) Leaf?
Approx. how much would it cost?
If not can it be repaired (to fix range down to 45 mi)?

I heard of a mechanic that claims that he can do both, I don't have any references
Is this possible?

Also - since the car is 11-12 years old, if I replace the battery with a new one. What other costly car issues does this (EV) car normally have (i.e. OK with up keep and minor repairs, but don't want to have a money pit with other large repairs to be expected)

 

[LeftieBiker]

Both are possible, although there would likely be no point in replacing just a few modules in a 2011 - all of the modules are likely too degraded. You used to need an adapter kit to put a 2013+ pack in a Gen 1.0 Leaf. Now you still need the hardware adapters, but the new CANBUS devices sold be members here may have eliminated the need for some of the components.

 

[cgott42]

great, thanks!

 

[Stanton]

You might want to read this blog post I wrote on my experience putting a 40 kWh pack into my 2011 Leaf (https://www.myeva.org/blog/keeping-your-nissan-leaf). Feel free to PM me with $ questions.

 

[AlanD]

I know of two shops that do battery upgrades, including for Gen 1. One is EV RIdes (https://evridesllc.com) in Portland, Oregon, and the other is EV Works (https://www.ev-works.com) on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

I have had contact only with EV Rides, about a year ago: I got the 24 KWhr battery in my 2013 Leaf replaced with a 40 KWhr battery and am very pleased. I had to truck my Leaf to their place in Portland and back, but wound up with a higher capacity battery than when the Leaf was new. I could have also had a 62 KWhr battery installed.

 

[cgott42]

I know of two shops that do battery upgrades, including for Gen 1. One is EV RIdes (https://evridesllc.com) in Portland, Oregon, and the other is EV Works (https://www.ev-works.com) on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

I have had contact only with EV Rides, about a year ago: I got the 24 KWhr battery in my 2013 Leaf replaced with a 40 KWhr battery and am very pleased. I had to truck my Leaf to their place in Portland and back, but wound up with a higher capacity battery than when the Leaf was new. I could have also had a 62 KWhr battery installed.

approx. how much did it cost total to replace the battery entirely - incl. labor?
Also - since the car is 11-12 years old, if I replace the battery with a new one. What other costly car issues does this (EV) car normally have (i.e. OK with up keep and minor repairs, but don't want to have a money pit with other large repairs to be expected)

 

[goldbrick]

Just as a point of reference, there is a 2011 with a 40kWh replacement pack for sale locally for $10,999 (Denver Craigslist). That seems like a good price for a turn-key car but it's not mine and I know nothing about it.

As for what else can go wrong, my take is the cabin heater on the 2011-2012 cars is a bit wonky. Otherwise, those model years are much like the rest of the pre-2018 Leafs and have proved to be fairly reliable over the years.

 

[AlanD]

The 40 KWhr battery had a state of health of 90% (so, a 36 KWhr capacity), and cost about $9,000, including installation. I had to truck the Leaf there and back which cost $600-700 each way, between San Diego CA and Portland OR. Those prices are over a year old, but if you call EV Rides and talk to Joe, he can tell you current availability and prices.

A 40 KWhr, 100% battery was about $11,000, including installation.

 

[cgott42]

thanks, that's very helpful.