Update on Battery Warranty Enhancement for 2011 & 2012 LEAF

[surfingslovak]

In many ways the revised pack does not provide much for us in the middle of the temp bell curve but really helps the outliers a lot!

My expectation is that the improved chemistry should perform better in all conditions, even though the primary focus were hot climates.

[JPWhite]

I'm glad to hear that Nissan is so very serious about EV's. My LEAF is at 50k miles and 9 bars. The rough plan for replacement sounds fantastic to me!

If you drop to 8 bars before 60,000 miles you will be entitled to a replacement battery under warranty without financial commitment. Be sure to exercise your 'new warranty' that was retroactively applied to all 2011/12 LEAF's earlier this year.

Over 60,000 miles and you will be looking to the rental scheme, or dump the vehicle. At least you will have option to keep the vehicle running indefinitely as long as the terms of the rental are acceptable.

[JPWhite]

In many ways the revised pack does not provide much for us in the middle of the temp bell curve but really helps the outliers a lot!

My expectation is that the improved chemistry should perform better in all conditions, even though the primary focus were hot climates.

If true, then the new battery will get a better EPA rating, if one is ever obtained for a used vehicle with an upgrade. Doubtful the rating will be issued, but at least the vehicle should go further in more challenging conditions. Here's hoping.

[LEAFfan]

In many ways the revised pack does not provide much for us in the middle of the temp bell curve but really helps the outliers a lot!

My expectation is that the improved chemistry should perform better in all conditions, even though the primary focus were hot climates.

+1! That's what I was thinking also.

[LEAFfan]

In many ways the revised pack does not provide much for us in the middle of the temp bell curve but really helps the outliers a lot!

My expectation is that the improved chemistry should perform better in all conditions, even though the primary focus were hot climates.

If true, then the new battery will get a better EPA rating, if one is ever obtained for a used vehicle with an upgrade. Doubtful the rating will be issued, but at least the vehicle should go further in more challenging conditions. Here's hoping.

No, they said there will be no improvement in range, just better heat protection.

[surfingslovak]

No, they said there will be no improvement in range, just better heat protection.

Yes. The Arrhenius equation we used to model the aging characteristics of the battery in different climates predicts that if a battery pack lasts longer in Phoenix, it should do proportionally better in other climates as well. Let's hope that Nissan has found the right formula, which would balance cost and affordability with longevity and durability.

[QueenBee]

A successful business depends on meeting customer's needs / desires in an honest open manner.

While I would certainly like that to be true, I don't think it is. The conglomerates that dominate the grocery store are successful and I think it would be easy to argue that they are not the most honest and open.

I'm OK with Nissan keeping us in the dark until the cost is palatable as I will bet this will allow them to sell more EVs to the masses. The masses much prefer leases and payment plans than upfront spending, etc. Let Tesla market to the rich and let Nissan market to to the masses.

[Stoaty]

The Arrhenius equation we used to model the aging characteristics of the battery in different climates predicts that if a battery pack lasts longer in Phoenix, it should do proportionally better in other climates as well. Let's hope that Nissan has found the right formula, which would balance cost and affordability with longevity and durability.

That is certainly true for the battery developed by NEC (and likely the new "Hot Battery"):

http://www.nec.com/en/global/techrep/jo ... 120112.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In the hottest city in their model (Naha), the estimated time to 70% capacity was 7.5 years
In the coldest city in their model (Sapporo), the estimated time to 70% capacity was 24 years

[smkettner]

If the battery lasts longer due to better heat tolerance then we will certainly have more range at 50,000+ miles vs the old version.

[surfingslovak]

That is certainly true for the battery developed by NEC (and likely the new "Hot Battery"):

http://www.nec.com/en/global/techrep/jo ... 120112.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In the hottest city in their model (Naha), the estimated time to 70% capacity was 7.5 years
In the coldest city in their model (Sapporo), the estimated time to 70% capacity was 24 years

Yes, very good point. NEC is/was Nissan's partner in the AESC joint venture, and although this is a research paper, it's conceivable that something similar was attempted to achieve longer life with the 'hot' battery.

If the battery lasts longer due to better heat tolerance then we will certainly have more range at 50,000+ miles vs the old version.

Yes, I think that's a fair assumption. While the focus was on hotter climates, even drivers in California and other moderately warm locales should benefit from this chemistry change.