Comments on: Nissan Agrees to Leaf Battery Probe by Independent Panel

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:16:22 +0000

The problem here is the math.

Everyone else will have 80% after five years with an average of 12,500 miles a year.

Arizona LEAFs will have 76% after five years with an average of 7,500 miles/year.

I dare Nissan to release their estimated capacity loss for Arizona LEAFs at the same milage as everyone else (most are putting it in the 50s (%).

By: TEG

TEG — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:00:55 +0000

In the article:
“Sexton and Nissan ENGINEER Jeff Kuhlman are reportedly working with others believed qualified to get answers to satisfy inquiring minds.”

Is Jeff an Engineer? Same Jeff as this?:
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2011/_STORY/111213-02-e.html
Seems like another PR person…

By: Arizona EV Pilot

Arizona EV Pilot — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:27:38 +0000

Only owned for 10 months and down bars… 5 stars on all my battery treatment reports… this is nuts! I have treated my car perfectly but Nissan has treated me horribly thus far. Much worse than the news reports. I have owned 3 nissans, but never again after the past few months of nissan being impotent. Come pick up my car nissan.

By: Modern Marvel Fan

Modern Marvel Fan — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 01:21:13 +0000

I believe the heat problem with the battery is at its worst when driving AND in a hot climate.

Hot climate only increases "ambient" temperature. But during heavy load such as sustained hard accerlation, battery will generate even more heat combined with the high ambient temperature will actually damage the cells.

By: MrEnergyCzar

MrEnergyCzar — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 23:32:13 +0000

I would guess Nissan knows exactly what's going on and a financial bet is being made to not offer buybacks like they did with the Volt over the battery fire hype. That might also be why there is no capacity loss warranty but just an illusion that there is one.... X% loss after X years etc... means nothing.

MrEnergyCzar

By: Lad

Lad — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:22:56 +0000

If the battery is fine, then for some reason the car is not charging the battery all the way...look for a faulty sensor or heat sensitive component in the battery monitoring circuits that may be limiting the charge capacity.

The other area to investigate is to charge the car in an oven at various temps and see if they are that heat sensitive... I think Nissan has a unique opportunity to so some worse case testing of some hard used batteries to gain knowledge in this area. So, this information can only serve to improve our knowledge about using BEVs in the field.