Jess> I'm afraid even your recent short update haven't shed more light on the battery pack degradation issue and warranties as you addressed in this thread in Nov 2009. Don't you think it's a bit high time to annouce answers to these legitimate questions and concerns openly? Lets put on the table the facts we know or we think we know as of now
:?
- batt. pack passive aircooled only (inside pack air recirculation only)
- perhaps some positive side-effect from precooling/heating the pack indirectly via above cabin A/C
- dashboard features batt. temp gauge (so it's significant parameter)
- Nissan's presentations talk about ~5yrs lifespan -> after that swap needed for new pack, the old one being used for utility storage application and after that it goes to recycling, some form of credit issued against the purchase of new pack
- given the above the pack degradation will likely vary significantly among different climate regions and usage
- after ~5yrs the real range of Leaf might be derated to ~50-70% of stated range
- therefore the potential customer wants to know what will be the credit given for new pack replacement after say those ~5yrs and how costly is it going to be
- are you going to proactively instruct/warn customers in hot climates how to charge safely?,
i.e. letting the pack to cool off few dozen minutes before charging again, say at high noon in suburban concrete/asphalt jungle conditions, not parking/charging during the day at non shaded areas/sun spots etc.
- pls. don't use the "Nissan's 17yrs expertise in lithium batt. powered vehicles" PR slogan, it's a bit silly, like for me saying I'm a pro-marathon runner in aggregate, after 20yrs of short range jogging..
Do you plan to address these concerns openly before the actual sales commence?
Why don't you, meaning the entire Nissan-Leaf project dept., opt for more transparent approach, say like Tesla or Volt/GM, when they are openly talking about these "detrimental" issues inherited with todays batt. technology from the start and how they deal with it from their respective egineeringing perspectives, e.g. focus on temp managed - watercooled packs. I think it's in your best long term interest to take it seriously, unless this is deliberate strategy to put people into position of "mandatory" upgrading your packs on regular basis, as revenue generating system. Which is obviously your right as business oriented profit seekers, but pls. firstly inform the customers about it.
In Race to Market, Nissan’s Electric Car Takes Shortcuts:
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/01/nissan-leaf-2/
Range derating explained
Ex-Tesla Spokesman: EPA's Electric-Vehicle Range Figures Are Grossly Inaccurate:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2009/05/ex-tesla-spokesman-epas-electric-vehicle-range-figures-are-grossly-inaccurate.html