Will a used 2015 leaf suit my needs

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EV2B

Member
Joined
May 30, 2018
Messages
12
:roll: I went to look at a used honda accord last week for a commuter car to get me from Maple Ridge BC to Vancouver BC (90k round trip). When i said no to the accord the sales manager asked if i had ever consisered a used Nissan LEAF.

After much research i like the idea, however a couple questions remain.

1) Does a used 2015 LEAF provide me enough range? (90k commute both ways)

2) if it can provide that range, is it healthy for the longivity of the battery?

3) And if the vehicle provides me enough range now, will it provide enough range in 5 years with normal battery degradation.

i love the idea of an EV as a commuter but i wonder if 90 kilometers ( half highway half city) a day is just too much stress on the battery.

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
@EV2B I like the handle :)

I live in Port Moody, we're practically neighbors!

1) Does a used 2015 LEAF provide me enough range? (90k commute both ways)

Yes, for sure. On a 2015 LEAF that's either a Canadian LEAF or a PNW LEAF, the battery should still have 95% of the original capacity (SOH metric on LeafSpy). Assuming you drive the Lougheed Hwy and then on to Barnet Hwy, I know you almost never get over 90 km on that route. In fact, you can likely travel 140 kms in summer time at those speeds. If you go over Golden Ears bridge and then take highway 1, then at 120 km/hr your range will be considerably less. However, we both know that rush hour in Vancouver pretty much makes those speeds impossible :p However, for sake of argument, at 120 km/hr your range would be more like 100km during summer. Note that rain, snow, and cold weather in general reduces range a lot. However, even during winter you should be able to make the 90 km round trip without charging enroute. Just make sure you get an SV, you need the heat pump to get decent range in winter.

2) if it can provide that range, is it healthy for the longevity of the battery?

You should be able to do a 90km round trip for the next 3 years at least. Having said that, do you have any charging options at work? Also, make sure you get a LEAF with the CHADEMO option as there are many DCQC stations already online in the GV area and many more coming. Right now, almost all of them are free! For your commute, the Empire DCQC on Hastings near Hwy 1 would be ideal. There's also a DCQC at Grandview Hwy superstore now and at least two other DCQCs coming online this summer. If you take Hwy 1, there's a new DCQC at the Superstore near Lougheed @ Schoolhouse Rd in Coquitlam. Check out http://www.plugshare.com for details.

3) And if the vehicle provides me enough range now, will it provide enough range in 5 years with normal battery degradation.

Probably, as the 2015 LEAF has the best battery pack Nissan has built to date. Also, Vancouver weather is generally mild which helps a lot with battery longevity. Winter might be challenging in a few years from now, which is why I highly recommend you get the CHADEMO charging package and an SV.

FYI, you will probably shop at Westwood Honda in Port Moody, as they sell a lot of used LEAFs. Before you buy there though, consider importing from Washington. I did that and saved myself a ton of money. Unfortunately, prices have gone up for used LEAFS in WA so the deals aren't quite as good. I purchased from http://www.paramountmotorsnw.com/inventory.asp?showOnly=Nissan, they were very knowledgeable and easy to deal with.

Feel free to PM me if you have other questions or if you want to meet up at a coffee shop to chat, I'm happy to help.
 
Thanks for the help, i do have access to EV parking stalls at work however they are only 120volt 15amp outlets no CHADEMO stations on campus.. yet..

i will explore importing a LEAF from washington, it looks compareable to dealers up here but you're right about cost going up on EV's, both here and down south.

What i dont get is why there is not a rebate for buying a used EV.. i dont have a used vehicle to scrapit for the 3k towards one. But what about an incentive to buy EV over ICE..

If there was an incentive to buy an EV over an ICE, i probably would not hestitate to buy one. But the fear of having a payment in 5 years for an EV that doesnt get me to work and back without having some major milleage anxiety or having to quick charge might prevent me from buying a LEAF (at least a 2015 model).

On the topic of milleage or battery capacity, i read that nissan will not subsidize battery replacement for owners who want a new battery, which has raised the customers cost from 5500 to 8500$. Not sure if this was speculation or truth.. another thing to ask the dealer.

i would assume that the cost per killowatt hr to construct the lizard battery would be more affortable in 5 years but by the sound of it Nissan is losing money at the current cost to replace a battery pack.. so again the speculation on what this vehicle's capacity and will be in 5 years and if its below my required needs to get to work, what would a new battery cost at that time? projected numbers indicated it will be cheaperbut i have my doubts.

All questions only time will tell.. as i research more questions arise then are solved thats for sure..
 
I just bought a 2015 as well and have no place to charge but have found some free Chargepoint/Blink chargers around.


Did you download the Plugshare App yet? On there you can see if theres at least a L2 charging station in your area. The L1 charging is very slow but could suit your needs if you charge at work where they are and depending on your miles needed to drive.

I like your screen name as well!!! :)

Good luck with all.
 
Thanks for the help, i do have access to EV parking stalls at work however they are only 120volt 15amp outlets no CHADEMO stations on campus.. yet..

Charging there will eliminate any range anxiety in Winter. L-1 120 volt charging adds roughly 4 miles (5.6km?) of range for every hour charged - probably more like 2.5 miles in very cold weather. If you can plug in for even 2-3 hours a day that will be enough. A heatpump-equipped Leaf gets most of it's Summer range in Winter until the temps drop to roughly 3 degrees Celsius. Below -9C or so the range drops to about that of a non heatpump-equipped car.
 
@EV2B A friend of mine purchased an old Honda Civic for cheap, drove it for 6 months + 1 day, then scrapped it through the program and got the full scrapit rebate. It sounds like you are looking to buy now, but 6 months isn't very long...
 
I bought my 2015 SV for a similar distance round trip commute that I did for a year until the contract was cut for lack of funding. I was able to charge either near work or at home and only in the dead of winter with snow on the ground did I ever need to charge at both ends. In your situation with L1 charging available at work, you should be able to get back almost half of your round trip range just from charging at work. You will need to be able to charge at home because L1 at work just will not do the whole round trip charge.

Even with major capacity loss, because you have at least L1 charging available at both ends of your commute, a 2015 SV or SL will be a great car for you for many years to come.
 
alozzy said:
a friend of mine purchased an old Honda Civic for cheap, drove it for 6 months + 1 day, then scrapped it through the program and got the full scrapit rebate. It sounds like you are looking to buy now, but 6 months isn't very long...

Seems like a good idea if u can by something for 500+ basic insurance and gas, you could come out ahead. I am wishing i had not sold my old honda last year. Damn. Only got 2g for it too..
 
alozzy said:
@EV2B A friend of mine purchased an old Honda Civic for cheap, drove it for 6 months + 1 day, then scrapped it through the program and got the full scrapit rebate. It sounds like you are looking to buy now, but 6 months isn't very long...

that was the first thing i thought of.. great minds think alike alozzy!! if u found a car cheap enough you would come out on top.. assuming gas doesnt go past 2$.. and u dont have a major breakdown.. hmm something to consider!!
 
BillHolz said:
I bought my 2015 SV for a similar distance round trip commute that I did for a year until the contract was cut for lack of funding. I was able to charge either near work or at home and only in the dead of winter with snow on the ground did I ever need to charge at both ends. In your situation with L1 charging available at work, you should be able to get back almost half of your round trip range just from charging at work. You will need to be able to charge at home because L1 at work just will not do the whole round trip charge.

Even with major capacity loss, because you have at least L1 charging available at both ends of your commute, a 2015 SV or SL will be a great car for you for many years to come.


thanks for the real life situation.. i have read articles about keeping your batttery in the 20%-80% range to help reduce battery degradation. It sounds like to do that i would need to charge at work to obtain this. (regardless of heat or cold temps). i dont pay for parking right now and to charge i would pay $6.50 a day to have a EV parking stall.

i anticipate that my free parking will soon disappear as the cambie corridor of apartments continue to grow, forcing me to pay for parking.. which if it keeps my EV healthy i sure dont mind paying..

Any thoughts on keeping your battery capacity between 20%-80%?
 
LeftieBiker said:
Thanks for the help, i do have access to EV parking stalls at work however they are only 120volt 15amp outlets no CHADEMO stations on campus.. yet..

Charging there will eliminate any range anxiety in Winter. L-1 120 volt charging adds roughly 4 miles (5.6km?) of range for every hour charged - probably more like 2.5 miles in very cold weather. If you can plug in for even 2-3 hours a day that will be enough. A heatpump-equipped Leaf gets most of it's Summer range in Winter until the temps drop to roughly 3 degrees Celsius. Below -9C or so the range drops to about that of a non heatpump-equipped car.

i was hoping that with the mild winters and somewhat warm summers (im orginally from Vernon BC)here in the lower mainland the capacity loss will be marginal, and i didnt think the heat pump with the SV model would be worth tue extra up front cost,but it sounds like the option is worrh especially if milleage is a concern.. not to mention the wife doesnt like the cold and i know she will want to do errands.

so you think even with our milder winters and summers the heat pump is worth the trim level upgrade?

what about carwings and navi? do they provide any range saving options or are they just another useless upgrade that wont help with battery degradation and overall capacity range ( which are my 2 biggest concerns with any true EV)

cheers!
 
GaryHere said:
I just bought a 2015 as well and have no place to charge but have found some free Chargepoint/Blink chargers around.


Did you download the Plugshare App yet? On there you can see if theres at least a L2 charging station in your area. The L1 charging is very slow but could suit your needs if you charge at work where they are and depending on your miles needed to drive.

I like your screen name as well!!! :)

Good luck with all.

hi Gary- i did come accross plugshare app. i havent downloaded it yet but it seems very uselful once i get into a LEAF. i wonder if the navi on sv model will show these stations while u drive?

thanks for screen name comment... it put a smile on my face when i said it aloud lol :lol:
 
An update overnight:

i have arranged with Westwood Honda to take a 2015 leaf home on sat night and return it monday night.

I am deciding which model to test drive. Their EV specialist said stick to the S model but Im thinking the SV model with the heat pump may be worth the money.

I also hear people taking the ODBII and leaf spy to dealer to monitor the battery satus.. Did any of you do this before your purchase? or should the dealer provide me a report from nissan showing me the latest battery levels?

I asked my kids last night if they had any questions to ask on this thread since everyone is so informative and helpful and what my 11yr old daughter said is

'how to you charge your car when the power goes out? will you have to stay home with us?'

haha lolol kids are so precious.. something i didnt even consider.

besides the power outage issue lol.. what other queations or infomation should i get from Westwood to help me make that final decision?

Are people paying asking price? or can i talk them down 500-1000..

thanks everyone!!
 
I'd go with the heatpump. I think it would be perfect for your climate since it works best when it is cool/cold-ish and not way below freezing. I .

I live in Colorado and I have an S but I wish I had a heat pump. Colorado has an arid climate so the sun is usually out and that makes driving with a jacket on and/or using the seat heaters not much of a problem. But on those days when it's cool and rainy, I need to use the heat to keep the windows clear. It is a HUGE power draw and it just feels stupid to be using that much power for heat. I would have sprung for the heat pump if it was an option but I didn't want to pay for the entire trim upgrade so I settled for an S. In your climate, I think the heat pump is a no-brainer.

And if the power goes out - just make sure the car is parked at the top of a hill and you can re-charge it on the way down. :D
 
When I was shopping at North Shore Kia for my 2013, I brought my ODBII reader with me and went through each Leaf they had on the lot. They were fascinated, told me they were going to get a reader of their own; who knows if they did.

Its the modern equivalent of kicking the tires... go for it, and use it as a negotiating tool!
 
EV2B said:
LeftieBiker said:
Thanks for the help, i do have access to EV parking stalls at work however they are only 120volt 15amp outlets no CHADEMO stations on campus.. yet..

Charging there will eliminate any range anxiety in Winter. L-1 120 volt charging adds roughly 4 miles (5.6km?) of range for every hour charged - probably more like 2.5 miles in very cold weather. If you can plug in for even 2-3 hours a day that will be enough. A heatpump-equipped Leaf gets most of it's Summer range in Winter until the temps drop to roughly 3 degrees Celsius. Below -9C or so the range drops to about that of a non heatpump-equipped car.

i was hoping that with the mild winters and somewhat warm summers (im orginally from Vernon BC)here in the lower mainland the capacity loss will be marginal, and i didnt think the heat pump with the SV model would be worth tue extra up front cost,but it sounds like the option is worrh especially if milleage is a concern.. not to mention the wife doesnt like the cold and i know she will want to do errands.

so you think even with our milder winters and summers the heat pump is worth the trim level upgrade?

what about carwings and navi? do they provide any range saving options or are they just another useless upgrade that wont help with battery degradation and overall capacity range ( which are my 2 biggest concerns with any true EV)

cheers!

The heat pump in the SV/SL is actually the most help in climates like yours, with lots of milder cool weather, and the S, with its resistance-only heater, does the worst in that weather. (In frigid weather the two systems have similar range.) As for the telematics, if you get a Leaf with a 3G unit that actually works, and doesn't drain the 12 volt battery, it can help by letting you start the climate control right before you reach the car, or a bit sooner if it is charging on L-2. Otherwise it isn't a big range booster. And an older Leaf with an "upgraded" telematics unit is much more work because you will likely have to pull a fuse to reset it regularly, and use a 12 volt battery maintainer. If you find a 2015 Leaf with the old 2G unit, use that to negotiate and then just leave it there. It won't work, but it won't cause problems, either. Nissan may eventually develop a 3G upgrade that actually works well.
 
I also live in Colorado. My LEAF is resistance heating while my Prius Prime has a very advanced heat pump.
I don't use either, since I prefer sunshine when available, warm clothes, gloves, heated seats and occasionally heated steering wheel.
 
EV2B said:
GaryHere said:
I just bought a 2015 as well and have no place to charge but have found some free Chargepoint/Blink chargers around.


Did you download the Plugshare App yet? On there you can see if theres at least a L2 charging station in your area. The L1 charging is very slow but could suit your needs if you charge at work where they are and depending on your miles needed to drive.

I like your screen name as well!!! :)

Good luck with all.

hi Gary- i did come accross plugshare app. i havent downloaded it yet but it seems very uselful once i get into a LEAF. i wonder if the navi on sv model will show these stations while u drive?

thanks for screen name comment... it put a smile on my face when i said it aloud lol :lol:

Hello

Yes PS is great! However, check with whomever owns the stations (Blink etc) on those respective apps before arriving as I have arrived at some on PS that are not in use any longer and I reported them as such.

I dunno if the navi shows stations on the SV; I have an S. That would be great!

Good luck with your Leaf over the weekend, hope it works out for you.
 
SageBrush said:
I prefer sunshine when available

Vancouver BC and my climate are very similar. We usually don't get sunshine from October to March.

I suggest the heat pump.


EV2B said:
i wonder if the navi on sv model will show these stations while u drive?

The navigation on the SL and SV models will show charge stations, but isn't the same database as Plugshare. Plugshare shows more. Also, you can enter stations you use, and can keep track of stations you have used automatically. The automatic station log seems to be limited in depth, as stations will drop off after no stops for a while... I don't find it useful.
 
There's no need to obsess over the 20% - 80% thing, do that only if it's convenient. Also, you can charge to 100% quite frequently but plan those charges so that you will be running the car right after charging.

What's more important is to avoid having the car sit while it's hot out and while the pack is also in a high state of charge (SOC). Fortunately, you will rarely have problems with that in Vancouver, other than perhaps a few days in July and August when it's 30C or higher. On those days, try to keep the SOC under 80% unless you really need the range. Really low states of charge are less detrimental but should also be avoided when possible. Any time you run the pack down to the VLBW, you should charge it right away to at least 20% SOC.
 
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