Warning: Battery Replacement Cost Increase (now $8500)

[SageBrush]

Just leads to third party options in the long run.

Somewhere between unlikely and not going to happen.

The most obvious barrier is that Nissan has to agree because they hold a software lock that prevents unauthorized battery replacement.

[Nubo]

Just leads to third party options in the long run.

Somewhere between unlikely and not going to happen.

The most obvious barrier is that Nissan has to agree because they hold a software lock that prevents unauthorized battery replacement.

You remove Nissan's VCU and BMS and substitute your own.

[rmay635703]

Paying 1.5x the value of a degraded Leaf to fix the battery is insane... you can buy a whole 12 bar Leaf for 8500. there is still hope for the 2850$ refurbished battery that was announced in Japan. If that gets you back to 85-90% then i'd say its worth it.

That hope remains, although, for now, Nissan says that EPA regulations prevent bringing that battery to the US market. I have no idea what those regulations are, but I too hope that it will become available as well.

The regulation called excuses reign supreme

[SageBrush]

Just leads to third party options in the long run.

Somewhere between unlikely and not going to happen.

The most obvious barrier is that Nissan has to agree because they hold a software lock that prevents unauthorized battery replacement.

You remove Nissan's VCU and BMS and substitute your own.

Uh huh. That is the difference between possible and practical. These uninformed armchair opinions of just over the horizon, cheap and accessible 3rd party options are a disservice to the community.

[Nubo]

Somewhere between unlikely and not going to happen.

The most obvious barrier is that Nissan has to agree because they hold a software lock that prevents unauthorized battery replacement.

You remove Nissan's VCU and BMS and substitute your own.

Uh huh. That is the difference between possible and practical. These uninformed armchair opinions of just over the horizon, cheap and accessible 3rd party options are a disservice to the community.

I didn't say it was easy or cheap, but such devices are being developed and used, even if my opinion is "armchair" while yours is awesome and fully-informed.

http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=gevcu6

[Stoaty]

This news just confirms my decision to dump my 2011 Leaf a year ago (actually, I gave it to my nephew who lives in Seattle). Almost a year driving my used 2013 Tesla Model S, zero problems, no detectable battery capacity loss during the time I have owned it (was down about 5% from new at the time I bought it). Never going back to Nissan.

[SageBrush]

I didn't say it was easy or cheap,

You are showing an open-sourced, Arduino based box for people to hack on as the path towards 3rd party, unauthorized battery replacement of the proprietary, locked Nissan pack ?

[Nubo]

I didn't say it was easy or cheap,

You are showing an open-sourced, Arduino based box for people to hack on as the path towards 3rd party, unauthorized battery replacement of the proprietary, locked Nissan pack ?

The statement I replied to asserted "Nissan has to agree because they hold a software lock...". I am pointing out that such a lock can be circumvented by providing an independent controller and letting Nissan's software take a hike. It can and does work.

Whether or not it's feasible from an economic or liability standpoint I don't know and make no claims. However, Nissan's agreement is not required. The technical aspect is solvable.

[SageBrush]

I am pointing out that such a lock can be circumvented by providing an independent controller and letting Nissan's software take a hike. It can and does work.

Someone has a running LEAF with no limitations using this box ?

Color me skeptical since the advert itself says that out of the box it can only control two specific motors and theoretically others.

So the current state of affairs is this:
Replace the battery
Replace the BMS
Replace the Controller
Replace the motor
Write the code to control the motor

No problemo. 3rd Party battery replacements coming any day now.

[webb14leafs]

Disappointing business practice. My 2014 (purchased last year) should last until it's paid off, but I won't be replacing the battery if these prices hold. I also won't be buying a new Nissan Leaf. The price of the replacement battery is approaching $300/kWh (before labor). That's absurd.

The cost of the battery replacement pretty much wipes out the fuel savings for the previous period of ownership.