johnlocke wrote:The only answer here is going to be from third party manufacturers who won't have to do the federal testing because they'll list it as a replacement part. There's a post in batteries and charging about someone who found a Chinese manufacturer to build batteries for a Leaf. Don't know if it ever got off the ground though. The biggest problem is reprogramming the car to accept the new battery not building the battery. Cost is going to be another problem. A $5000 battery even if it's 40KWH is a hard sell to go in a $5000 car. If a 5 year old Leaf was worth $20000 with a new 40KWH battery, then you would have something. My guess is that even with the new larger battery, it still wouldn't be worth more than $12000 - $13000.
Sadly we have no choice in the matter .....All Leafs will eventually need their batteries change even if they are worth just $5000 ...I own a 2011 that is a few months away from needing a 3rd battery ....