2022 Leaf Battery Concerns in Hot Weather

[ottopadilla88]

Hi,
I’m thinking about buying my neighbor’s ‘22 Leaf S Plus, but I’m a bit worried about that battery overheating in the crazy AZ heat. I’ve seen some horror stories online about folks frying their batteries when it’s scorching out.

My daily drive is about 15 miles, and a few beach trips during hot weather.

Do you guys think the Leaf’s battery can keep up with my plans?

 

[Stanton]

There are thousands of posts on this "hot" topic (pun intended), but the short answer for your application: you should be fine.

 

[Lorand_91]

Just avoid DC charging too frequently for the few beach trips.

 

[Jerther]

I agree with the two previous answers. I'll just add that the LEAF manual makes some limiting recommendations about quick charging but I'll make my own: ONE quick charge PER DAY max. Quick charging significantly heats the battery pack up and on the LEAF it is air cooled and at the time of this writing, AFAIK only time can reliably cool the battery. One quick charge is fine, but the second one most likely will bring the battery temperature gauge close to (or even into) the red zone, which is what should be avoided. A third quick charge on the same day and you're in for a VERY long and unpleasant trip. Ask me how I know.

The LEAF is really not meant for long long trips. But it is absolutely perfect for your 15 miles daily commute. The 62 kWh pack of the Plus is even overdoing it

 

[Martin Carlsson]

Granted a different part of the world (Sweden) with different climate, but recently did a 3-400 mile trip in about 15C/60F weather and did like three QCs (of different magnitudes) in a 24hr period and the battery barely made it over halfway on the temp-gauge. Was my first long distance trip in an EV, so was a bit apprehensive, but it was easy-peasy and "Leafy" delivered me expediently and comfortably to the destination. QCs were not the least bit annoying - had to regardless - eat, bathroom break and a wake up leg stretch/fresh air.

When I recently did a long-distance journey with a petrol-car with some other people I think we had way more stops in comparison - felt like every hour someone needed the bathroom, food, snacks or filling up with petrol.

So I very quickly have gotten over my range-anxiety or somehow limiting the Leaf - will take us just fine wherever we'd like to go but we're not frequent long-distance (car) travellers. Absolutely LOVE Leafy, granted only had it for 2 months but absolutely brilliant, couldn't imagine going back to Petrol/Diesel now and of course HUGE saving in using electricity vs Petrol/Diesel. Have a c. 3-4Kw charger in the garage so it charges about 10-11% per hour - way more/faster then needed so far.

Best! /M

 

[johnlocke]

I live in inland San Diego and the weather is very similar to AZ. My 22 Leaf SV+ has no problems with heat (unlike my 16 leaf which went through 2 batteries in 6 years and 96,000 miles). At 45,000 miles I still have an SOH of 93% and the battery will charge to 690-700 GID's routinely. For what you're describing the Leaf should be fine. Just charge overnight as needed. An occasional DC fast charge won't hurt the battery either although I'd keep those to a minimum just on GP. As for frying the battery, just don't fast charge it in the middle of the afternoon.

 

[danelo]

I am in Phoenix. The highest I ever saw the battery temperature gauge was about 85% to the first red dot, but pretty much stayed around 80% all summer. The battery pack temperature will not change much in summer since it is a dense object. I never fast charge, only use the 120V trickle charge.

Daily commute was as much as 70 miles a day, but generally around 25.

 

[Tallman85]

We have a 2019 40kwh leaf, from new, never QC with 85000km and the battery is already at 85% SOH. It barely gives 220km range with ac off. Here summers are harsh…do you think my battery is over degraded? Anyone knows what level it needs to drop for warranty? Thx.

 

[Bombastinator2]

I will say it’s worth downloading leafspy lite just to check the battery health. There’s an old old saying that when you buy anything used you’re buying someone else’s problems. If your neighbor was at all together with his leaf he had leafspy and a dongle in the port and just left it there. In which case you won’t need to buy your own dongle. Leafspy can read all kinds of stuff, but the big one is battery health. With electric cars the battery pack is most of the car. You’ll want to know what’s up with it.

 

[Jerther]

do you think my battery is over degraded? Anyone knows what level it needs to drop for warranty?

Probably not. Read the warranty booklet for your model, year and country. You'll find everything you need. One sure thing, the traction battery warranty is not based on the SOH reported by a third party app like Leaf Spy (unfortunately ) It's usually the capacity meter on the dashboard, or the usual "malfunction or manufacturing defect". Again, check your warranty booklet. If you don't have it, you'll be able to find it online on Nissan's website.

 

[Dooglas]

We have a 2019 40kwh leaf, from new, never QC with 85000km and the battery is already at 85% SOH. It barely gives 220km range with ac off. Here summers are harsh…do you think my battery is over degraded? Anyone knows what level it needs to drop for warranty? Thx.

You have asked a couple of questions here that would require accurate information about where you are located. If you wish useful answers, I recommend you include your location in your profile.

 

[DougWantsALeaf]

On the Leaf Plus we road trip (we use another Plus for commuting, both 2019+s), I have many times quadrupled and quintuple back to back DC charged the battery. Yes it gets hot and charges slower on later charges, but very maneagable still.