Meeting with Nissan, Phoenix, Jan 8, 2013, 6pm, drinks prior

[Ingineer]

Phil, what's the function of the camera in the charge port door? Is it associated with the Around View Monitor? If so, how does it see the environment if the charge door is closed?

The Camera is mounted ON the charge port door:



It's on the bottom of the Nissan Logo, so thus it only properly works when the door is closed.

-Phil

[LEAFfan]

Not so much interested in tech data as in the functional significance of the "slightly different chemistry". Why is the chemistry different for U.S.? More heat tolerant? Slightly higher capacity? Red, white and blue colors for the electrolyte?

If I recall correctly, Andy insinuated that battery chemistry has been tweaked, which was at least partially motivated by the issues owners have encountered. Can't really comment on electrolyte color

You recalled correctly. He did say it was a somewhat different chemistry. I reported/posted that about the 'tweaking' back in November. Also, the mods are 'open' instead of sealed completely. I still believe there will be at least a 15 mile improvement, which I could stretch to at least 20.

[RegGuheert]

Thanks for all the pics, Phil!

I have a couple of questions about the 2013 LEAF:

- What happened to the ultracapacitor? I thought it was required to hold up the 12V long enough to provide assist for braking. Did anyone spot it?
- What did you think of the convenience charger? Is it the model you expected that cannot be upgraded?

Comments:

- I like the overhead console! That's a good use of space.
- I'm interested in the new wheels with the Michelin Energy tires as a possible replacement for the Ecopia's. Hopefully we will get detailed reports on these from future 2013 owners!

[cwerdna]

- I'm interested in the new wheels with the Michelin Energy tires as a possible replacement for the Ecopia's. Hopefully we will get detailed reports on these from future 2013 owners!

Not to go too OT, but http://priuschat.com/threads/low-rollin ... ist.92778/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is a LRR tire discussion thread. I'm no tire connoisseur/enthusiast so I can't really comment or summarize.

Michelin Energy Saver A/S is a "Priuschat.com favorite"...

[RegGuheert]

Not to go too OT, but http://priuschat.com/threads/low-rollin ... ist.92778/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is a LRR tire discussion thread. I'm no tire connoisseur/enthusiast so I can't really comment or summarize.

Michelin Energy Saver A/S is a "Priuschat.com favorite"...

Thanks! That thread looks like it will take some time to digest! I'll have to come back to it as our tires get older.

It's interesting that they don't list the Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires in the OP under the 215/50/R17 size, but they do have it elsewhere. Does the OP only included tires that have been reviewed in the thread?

[mwalsh]

I thought that this should have been the HEART of the discussion, the PRIMARY reason for them to come all the way out to Phoenix, to address and discuss the issue of how to make it right directly with the actual people who are affected and are living day to day with the issue.

Call me an old skeptic. But while meeting with Phoenix owners and listening to their concerns may have been on the agenda, I think the primary reason for the event was to release details of the 2013 LEAF. No coincidence, methinks, that it was decided to advance release to the press too, a couple of weeks ahead of scheduled. Reason? Well just check the web - gazillions of posts about the 2013 specs and just 2 (that I've found) about the meeting with Phoenix owners (which would have been a big-deal normally). Well played, Nissan.

[EricBayArea]

Sounds like all good improvements that they were able to build off of input from the 2011/2012 owners.

I hope that some, if not all, of the software updates they showed (remote temp set, auto 80% for timer override, SOC%, Google search, etc.) will be available to 2011/2012 owners as a free software update. Not to mention a replacement climate head unit with AC & Heat buttons. They should take every opportunity to give back to the beta testers that got them to this point.

[Herm]

Reason? Well just check the web - gazillions of posts about the 2013 specs and just 2 (that I've found) about the meeting with Phoenix owners (which would have been a big-deal normally). Well played, Nissan.

A big shot CEO makes a local visit to appease a small minority of upset owners, following the release of the capacity warranty that everyone wanted, probably will be followed by more buyouts until everyone shuts up.

[myleaf]

Here are some of my comments / notes from the meeting: Everyone correct me if I miss-heard or miss-interpreted the conversation:

1. Andy Palmer and Billy Hayes both drive LEAFs. A LEAF is Andy Palmer's only vehicle.

2. I was surprised/upset that Nissan did not respond to the items in Chelsea's list. I feel this list contained the questions I wanted answered at this meeting.

3. We were told that this town hall meeting was being videotaped and it will be available. (I am not sure if it will be - because of the serious concerns that AZ owners expressed and the lack of concrete answers)

4. Replacement battery cost will be announced in the Spring. Because --- it takes time to work out items in the cost structure - such as the logistics of transporting, setting up inventory, etc.

5. What would be the target capacity level of the replacement battery. Battery replacements are very expensive and we do not want to do it often. I heard two inconsistencies in Andy's response. The first comment I heard was that Nissan did not want to replace the battery more than once in the life of the vehicle the second time I heard Andy say that we do not want to replace the battery more than once during the warranty period.

6. Restoring the battery capacity to > = 9 bars. Each battery will degrade differently and will be handled based on its condition. Modules maybe replaced, or the entire battery.

7. There was some discussion on battery cooling. It was stated that Nissan decided not to add a temperature management system because of cost, safety, simplicity, reliability. Andy Palmer also mentioned that he worked in the area of heat management sometime in his career. When asked about liquid cooling, 140F ambient air on highways, and other systems using liquid cooling. It was mentioned that the LEAF battery is air cooled -- similar to liquid cooling. An example mentioned is that the human body is air cooled.

8. I own my AZ LEAF. I mentioned offline that I was concerned about my loss of capacity/range and especially worried about next summer. I was told that my car should follow the glide path and Nissan is confident that the degradation is not linear. It was also mentioned that some options that I can pursue would be a buyback or conversion to a lease.

[Weatherman]

It was mentioned that the LEAF battery is air cooled -- similar to liquid cooling. An example mentioned is that the human body is air cooled.

Bad example. Our bodies are cooled mostly by evaporation of water. Vastly more effective than simple air cooling.