Is there anything I can do to fix this besides an entire battery replacement?!

[LarryKaplan]

There are shops that "remanufacture" Leaf batteries by replacing cells, but they are local operations, and the quality and expertise vary. That doesn't include shops, of which there are a couple of chains, that install used batteries from salvaged cars without rebuilding them.

So why hasn't a large parts manufacturer gotten into this business, aside from the Chinese, who's quality and service are unreliable?

My theory is that the market is just too small. Nissan produced about a half million Leafs since its inception -- if half of them, Gen 1, need new HV batteries, that's 250,000 customers. Nissan produces a half million cars and trucks of all kinds a month today -- there is an aftermarket for a standard alternator or power window motor large enough to warrant supplying them. But not enough of a market to produce an HV battery.

So we are on our own.

 

[EVPowers]

Back in 2014 there were some 24 kWh replacements that were done for ~$5,100. But that was part of a Public Relations effort. Over time that price quietly went away.

Solid state batteries are unlikely to have the same form factor nor electrical characteristics of existing Leaf batteries. So there really won't be a way to swap them in.

Plus, being such a new technology, they will not be proven for longevity. I can't imagine it making any sense taking that kind of risk for a decade-old, low worth, car.

 

[KazooBruce]

If you only lost one bar on a 2015 you are in good shape. I have lost two on a 2014 with 25K. Time of course is the more important that the miles as long as not using rapid charging. But still a good city car. We can only hope for new tech to come along or maybe just agree that its a disposable car. I plan to take my battery our for my home solar system when it gets too worthless to drive.

 

[EVPowers]

@LarryKaplan
As I mentioned earlier, large manufacturers like don't see enough profit margin on it.

People want a battery that is around $5,000, but they no longer are satisfied with a 73-84 mile battery like the car originally came with. Instead they want it to go 150 or 200 miles. There's no way a manufacturer can produce New batteries at that price and still leave room for profit.

Even at $5,000, some people think that is way too much to spend on a 10-15 year old car.

Replacing cells with a non-OEM cell is a risk. Actually kind of a big risk. What if the cells have slightly different characteristics than OEM cells. Will the OEM BMS manage to keep the cells in a safe zone?

If the replacement cells are a different form factor, who is to say if they are securely fastened to the case?

I spent many years finding a US based supplier that can quickly provide my shop an assembled and warrantied replacement pack. But the price is so high it is a very rare customer who will buy it.

This is where will be for some time.

Asian suppliers are happy to send lower cost cells to be installed in packs. But even then, there is very little margin, and very large amounts of risk for anyone assembling and/or installing these cells.

If a customer is feeling lucky and wants to take the risk, I'm happy to install just about whatever they want.

This is always an interesting topic, even though we keep going round and round and end up at the same place/dilemma.

Feel free to call anytime or you want to chat about it 608-729-4082 -- Eric

 

[Mike Stone]

my biggest problem so far (owner of '15 for 3 mos) is finding public charging locations for longer drives (over 50 mi)