Nissan LEAF Battery Life: Your Guide to Maintenance and Care
Jul 28, 2020
Driving a Nissan LEAF comes with many real-world perks. From its long-range capabilities to its whisper-quiet ride, it’s no wonder the LEAF is one of the world’s best-selling electric vehicles. When it comes to the LEAF’s unique features, they have one thing in common: they’re only possible due to the vehicle’s advanced battery pack.
Mounted towards the rear on the floorboard of the vehicle, the Nissan LEAF’s battery is what allows this all-electric, compact passenger vehicle to offer incentives that gas-powered vehicles simply cannot. And, with Nissan’s new battery technology installed on the all-new LEAF models, LEAF owners or lessees are getting more out of their new EVs than ever before.
But just how long does a Nissan LEAF battery last?
To help you better understand the LEAF’s battery lifespan, our team at EVgo has put together this guide on Nissan’s battery technology, battery maintenance, and care, so you can get the most out of your Nissan LEAF’s battery for years to come.
Nissan LEAF Battery Technology
The first generation of the LEAF was equipped with a 24 kWh battery pack, meaning Nissan utilized 24 battery modules with each module containing a 4-cell configuration. In the second generation of the LEAF, Nissan focused on creating ahigher capacity lithium-ion battery packthat featured optimized lithium-ion storage. With new, standard LEAF models containing a 40 kWh battery pack, each of the 40 battery modules contain 8-cell configurations for increased capacity, range, and reliability.
To go one step further, Nissan also introduced a new module layout for the 62 kWh battery pack on the new LEAF Plus model. This configuration allows each module to contain a customizable number of cells joined with laser welding, meaning the total length of each module can be shortened and optimized to best fit the LEAF’s platform.
Nissan LEAF Battery Maintenance
Taking care of your LEAF’s lithium-ion battery pack is crucial, as the battery is the most important (and most expensive) component of the vehicle. How you choose to charge and maintain your LEAF’s battery will have a direct effect on its longevity. Fortunately, Nissan LEAF battery maintenance is as easy as following a few simple rules:
1. Pay Attention to Your LEAF’s Battery Capacity
One of the most important rules of Nissan LEAF battery maintenance is keeping the battery charge between 20% and 80%. Letting your LEAF’s battery die regularly or charging it to full capacity regularly will cause your battery modules to degrade faster.
2. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Your LEAF’s battery health can be directly affected by extreme temperature fluctuations. When possible, try to avoid leaving your LEAF in the hot sun for too long, as it can add a substantial amount of stress on the battery pack and shorten its life due to things likelithium platingand thermal runaway.
While cold temperatures don’t directly affect lithium-ion degradation, they can shorten your LEAF’s range due to the electrolyte fluid in the battery pack moving at a slower pace or freezing. Additionally, the cold can limit the amount of energy your LEAF is supposed to recoup during regenerative braking. If you live in an area with long periods of freezing temperatures, try to park your LEAF in a garage or covered area as much as possible. And, always remember, keep your LEAF charged to 20% or more at all times, as your EV will need that energy to warm the battery and accept a charge in the cold.
How Long Does a Nissan LEAF Battery Last?
With its Ni-Co-Mn (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese) positive electrode material and laminated cell structure, Nissan LEAF batteries are highly durable and reliable. On top of that, Nissan offers new LEAF owners a limited lithium-ionbattery warranty, which includes coverage for defects in materials or workmanship for 100,000 miles or 8 years (whichever comes first). But, with proper maintenance and care, your LEAF’s battery could outlast its warranty and exceed 10 years. So much so that Nissan is looking at ways it can createsecond-use demandfor the LEAF’s battery packs, given how long they’re lasting.
Get the Most Out of Your LEAF’s Battery with EVgo
With the right kind of maintenance and care, your Nissan LEAF’s battery will last for years to come. And, to help you keep your LEAF optimally charged while you’re on the road, EVgo’s public fast charging stations are here to help.
With the nation’s largest network of EV fast charging stations, we make it simple to find a LEAF charger near you in minutes.
As a bonus, Nissan has partnered with EVgo to create Nissan Energy Perks by EVgo®. This charging program gives new LEAF owners or lessees a charging credit to use with EVgo and EVgoroaming partners charging networks.
