goldbrick wrote:Forumite GerryAZ has a Leaf in Phoenix and has had good luck with it. You could search for his posts or PM him for specific advice.
In general, the common consensus is that high SOC and high temps together are the worst combination for degradation. That and very low SOC which is true for any Li battery. In a nutshell, try to keep the SOC between 20% and 80% as much as possible and keep the battery as cool as possible. Remember the battery is large and heavy and changes temperature very slowly. If it is sitting, it will stay close to the average temperature of the day since it heats/cools so slowly. High charge or discharge rates will heat it internally so a QCDC session or high speed highway driving will increase the battery temperature significantly. Once it's warm, it will take a long time to cool off since there is no active cooling available.
I wouldn't sweat (no pun intended...) the details too much. Just try to drive it and enjoy it. I'd avoid leaving it sit at > 80% SOC or below 20% SOC. Going over or under for a short period is fine but don't make a habit of letting the car sit at 99% SOC or 5% SOC. These batteries will degrade but hopefully you will get years of use out of it before it loses enough range to cause problems. By that point, I'd expect newer and better cars to be available and maybe even better replacement packs for the Leaf. I think of battery degradation somewhat like getting that first dent in your new car. It's going to happen so the best strategy is to just accept it and enjoy the car for what it is - transportation. As long as it gets you where you need to go, it's all good.
Hi there! Thanks much for the reply; very helpful for sure and reassuring!
I wanted a Leaf way back when they first arrived; then all the battery issues turned me off to it but it kinda stuck in my head as I like the cars looks, interior and exterior.
I will pay for a shaded site at my apt. complex to park since I dont want it parked here in the Sun. I dont have a place to charge as Im in an apt now so have to now use public Blink here, which isnt cheap but looking for a rental home where I could charge.
I think also with the Leaf that we are lucky that the capacity is right there to see when buying used.
Other vehicles that capacity isnt so obvious without hooking it up to equipment.
I eliminated many this way.
There was one dealer trying to sell me a 2011 with 6 bars for 8000! I told him about the bars, he had no clue (obviously)
And as you said, in the future it will get better and better for battery issues.
Hopefully more charging stations too. When I see the numerous gas stations, I think, wow how lop-sided this is in terms of these could be charging stations instead
Thanks again and I may PM the AZ Leaf owner if I have additional questions.
Have a great day!
