EVDRIVER said:
It's fun to crunch theoretical numbers on paper but actually building a safe, reliable and low-weight traction pack as you described is not that simple. Your figures for weight are grossly off and you are making quite a few assumptions. To simplify this idea, it would be a significant feat to build a quality 10kw integrated pack addition for a LEAF at even close to an affordable price. What you suggest in a quality, reliable and safe form is not even likely at a cost factor of 10X without mass production.
"figures for weight are grossly off" -- An 18650 weighs 45 grams to 50 grams. Can you do the calculation for weight and show me where I am wrong?
"reliable" -- remember this is a secondary battery pack. If it occasionaly fails due to a bad cell, it is not the end of the world. One can even easily replace the bad cell in the field.
"saety" --well the 18650 has shown to be quite safe. Tesla is based on it, and you dont hear of laptop fires anymore. A temprature alarm in the case can warn the driver before it turns into a fire torch!
What are the "assumptions" that I am making, except for issues with the Leaf's firmware?
"quality package" -- I think you mistakenly assume that I want to make a commercial product. Not really, this is just one of a kind.
And 18650s indeed do cost $2 each (at 14 Wh). Check Ebay.