The Nissan Leaf is a compact five-door hatchback battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufactured by Nissan. It was introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010. The Nissan Leaf uses a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery based on polymer cells from the Automotive Energy Storage Corporation. The Leaf is classified as a BEV because there is no combustion engine: the vehicle is powered solely by the energy stored in its Li-ion battery.
The Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular electric SUVs you can buy on the market and has received many positive reviews. But while the Nissan Leaf saves you money on fuel for now, the battery could be incredibly expensive to replace later.
Battery Problem
It is normal for a car battery to deteriorate; this is not a new problem. All batteries begin to degrade after a while, just like your cell phone battery holds less and less charge. EV battery degradation is the natural process that permanently reduces the amount of energy the battery can store and/or deliver. Factors affecting battery health include time, high temperatures, operating at a high or low state of charge, high electrical current, and usage. Although it is difficult to find answers about the lifespan of an EV battery, some car manufacturers have warranties that cover the battery for eight years or 100,000 miles.
At a very basic level, lithium-ion batteries work this way: lithium ions move back and forth in a liquid, entering and exiting the positive and negative ends of a battery. Lithium ions moving in one direction means charging the battery and storing energy; moving in the other direction means discharging the battery and using the energy to power something, like a car.
However, occasionally, a manufacturing defect can cause a more or less spontaneous thermal runaway in a lithium-ion cell. Simply put, thermal runaway is a chain reaction that causes lithium-ion batteries to overheat very quickly and significantly reduces their lifespan.
How Long Do Nissan LEAF Batteries Last?
The Nissan LEAF has been available in North America since 2010, but in this article, we focus only on models from 2015 onwards, as the battery underwent a significant upgrade that year. Like most electric cars, the LEAF is equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged by plugging it into an electrical outlet or a charging station. It also recharges while you drive using a technology called regenerative braking.
The 2015 LEAF has a battery capacity of 24 kilowatt-hours (relatively low by current standards) and a range of 84 miles. The 2018 model’s capacity increased to 40 kWh and 151 miles of range, while the 2019-2021 models offer two options: a 40 kWh battery or a 62 kWh battery with up to 226 miles of range.
The battery is one of the most important components of any electric car. Therefore, Nissan LEAF owners, like all EV owners, need to be concerned about battery lifespan. Smaller batteries tend to have a shorter lifespan because they go through more charge cycles.
According to a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, the first-generation LEAF could lose about a quarter of its capacity after five years of use or 50,000 miles. This means that after 10 years of driving, it might no longer hold a sufficient charge.
Fortunately, the new LEAF models have improved battery technology with greater capacity.
Today, Nissan executives believe that the Nissan LEAF’s battery could last for decades and even outlive the car itself. They could be recycled or reused for another purpose, such as a solar energy storage system to power a home.
Nissan LEAF Battery Replacement Costs
According to a post on the MyNissanLeaf.com forum, as of January 30, 2020, the labor and replacement cost for a 24 kWh battery in a Nissan Leaf was $5,500. It appears the battery itself would cost $4,500, placing the $/kWh at $187/kWh, which is 36% above the stated price of $137/kWh in 2020.
According to a 2020 Greencars report, the Nissan Leaf 40 kWh battery costs $5,500 or about $137/kWh, which is quite in line with the 2020 average price.
A 2013 Nissan Leaf owner in Canada reported being quoted CA$15,000 for a replacement battery by a dealership.
Car buyers reported in September 2020:
- The price of the 30 kWh pack ranges from $3,500 to $4,500, at most $150/kWh.
- The price of the 40 kWh pack ranged from $6,500 to $7,500, at most $187.5/kWh.
- The 62 kWh battery was expected to cost between $8,500 and $9,500, at most $153/kWh.
Replacement costs range from $0 to $20,000 depending on dozens of factors. If a battery is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, typically 8 years and 100,000 miles, you should get a replacement battery at no extra cost. But what if it’s no longer under warranty?
If you experience problems with your battery after your warranty expires, you may have no choice but to pay for a replacement out of pocket. Unfortunately, there is no MSRP for new batteries, so the replacement cost will vary depending on where you are and which mechanic you hire to fix it.
Estimates range from a few thousand dollars to $8,000 for a replacement battery, which may be more than the current market value of your LEAF.
Not all electric vehicle owners will have to replace their battery, but keep this possibility in mind before buying a LEAF. You may decide that the overall lifetime savings from driving an electric vehicle are worth it.
If you are considering a used LEAF, be sure to test the battery capacity before buying to reduce the risk of battery failure or degradation.
How to Take Care of Your Nissan LEAF Battery
To avoid having to change the battery too early, you can take a few steps to extend the battery’s life by charging your electric vehicle’s battery wisely.
- Avoid DC fast charging and use a 240-volt home charging station when possible. By charging your battery more slowly overnight, you can extend your battery’s life. Also try to avoid draining your battery or overcharging it. While it may be tempting to keep your battery at 100%, it is healthiest between 20% and 80% capacity.
- Keep your car cool. The biggest drawback of the Nissan LEAF’s battery is its lack of active thermal management, which helps keep the battery cool. The newer LEAFs have a “passive” thermal management system, which slightly cools the battery by allowing air to flow over it while the car is moving, but they do not have the liquid system that more advanced electric vehicles like Tesla offer. So, if you want to get the longest battery life, you can make an extra effort and store your LEAF in a garage or covered parking to better protect your battery from outside temperatures. While cold temperatures can impact your car’s ability to hold a charge in the short term, it’s hot weather that will cause the most damage to your battery.
- Try to drive smoothly. The LEAF’s regenerative braking system is designed to capture kinetic energy from the brakes that would otherwise be wasted. To make the most of this system, avoid sudden braking and sharp acceleration. Driving steadily and smoothly will result in less wear on your battery and brake pads and reduce your driving costs by saving more energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the 2021 LEAF’s annual fuel costs are $600, and it costs $1.02 to drive 25 miles.