Today is my 5 years ownership anniversary. Original owner, paid full MSRP, 2011 SL, Chademo DCQC, 3.8 KW Charger, 33,288 mi, 10 charge bars, 48.82 Ahr, 53.97 Hx , 74 SOH, 41.7% SOC (I don't normally charge it to full except on the weekend), 3.889 V, 82.9 degrees F (parked outside overnight, not charged). Our temperatures are very hot in the summer (90-115 F), so not you're typical expectation for the PNW. My commute is 8 mi RT, all 35 mph, very little highway speeds. I've taken a few trips out of town, some with DCQC, but mostly I'm limited to in-town due to the lack of DCQC stations within 80-120 mi.
The vehicle operates perfectly for my expected use. No L2 charging station needed due to my short daily mileage. Unfortunately, even with my low mileage, keeping the battery around 40% SOC most of the time, low speed operations, etc., I've seen more degradation than I expected and more than Nissan advertised (everyone knows the drill). I'm not happy about that, but I should still get another 10 years of use, maybe 15. Unfortunately, I was planning for this to be my last car (expecting to drive it well after turning 75, but in town 5-10 mi). I'll still keep it until it won't make it 10 mi RT to the grocery store. My 25 yo ICE pickup is only really acceptable for taking waste to the local landfill (no current safety features, rear bumper, airbags, or A/C, somewhat unstable driving above 70 mph, etc.).
After five years, EVs are "just starting" to take off, but in Eastern WA, there are relatively few EVs and charging stations. Nearby DCQC's are non-existent, but perhaps coming soon. I'm disappointed in the winter regen braking (even at low speed) and the reduced range, but it still works just fine for me down to 0 F (if we ever have those temps again, my winter trips across town, 30 mi RT may become problematic). I don't mind the energy-hogging heater, and don't have the winter package, but would certainly have wanted a more efficient system, and the ability to condition the battery to 70 F in winter and summer.
I won't be updating this vehicle due to costs and depreciation. IF Nissan wants to lease me a new battery (with the newest tech) for $100/mo in 2030 as previously promised, then I'd consider it. I highly doubt they will fulfill their promise, since: 1) the 2030 battery will likely be incompatible, contrary to their promises and 2) the $100/mo lease will not be available since they will inflation-adjust the value.
I will likely NOT be buying another new Nissan. Yes, the 2011 Leaf has been perfectly acceptable for me, but I've got a Tesla Model 3 reservation. We'll see how that works out. I won't be an early adopter again, this time waiting until others have proven the technology. I'll probably cancel the Tesla reservation, or at least defer it for a few additional years. More likely, I'll purchase used, and let someone else take the first 5 years of depreciation. I'll still be driving the Leaf, so there isn't quite as much rush to purchase new.
The vehicle operates perfectly for my expected use. No L2 charging station needed due to my short daily mileage. Unfortunately, even with my low mileage, keeping the battery around 40% SOC most of the time, low speed operations, etc., I've seen more degradation than I expected and more than Nissan advertised (everyone knows the drill). I'm not happy about that, but I should still get another 10 years of use, maybe 15. Unfortunately, I was planning for this to be my last car (expecting to drive it well after turning 75, but in town 5-10 mi). I'll still keep it until it won't make it 10 mi RT to the grocery store. My 25 yo ICE pickup is only really acceptable for taking waste to the local landfill (no current safety features, rear bumper, airbags, or A/C, somewhat unstable driving above 70 mph, etc.).
After five years, EVs are "just starting" to take off, but in Eastern WA, there are relatively few EVs and charging stations. Nearby DCQC's are non-existent, but perhaps coming soon. I'm disappointed in the winter regen braking (even at low speed) and the reduced range, but it still works just fine for me down to 0 F (if we ever have those temps again, my winter trips across town, 30 mi RT may become problematic). I don't mind the energy-hogging heater, and don't have the winter package, but would certainly have wanted a more efficient system, and the ability to condition the battery to 70 F in winter and summer.
I won't be updating this vehicle due to costs and depreciation. IF Nissan wants to lease me a new battery (with the newest tech) for $100/mo in 2030 as previously promised, then I'd consider it. I highly doubt they will fulfill their promise, since: 1) the 2030 battery will likely be incompatible, contrary to their promises and 2) the $100/mo lease will not be available since they will inflation-adjust the value.
I will likely NOT be buying another new Nissan. Yes, the 2011 Leaf has been perfectly acceptable for me, but I've got a Tesla Model 3 reservation. We'll see how that works out. I won't be an early adopter again, this time waiting until others have proven the technology. I'll probably cancel the Tesla reservation, or at least defer it for a few additional years. More likely, I'll purchase used, and let someone else take the first 5 years of depreciation. I'll still be driving the Leaf, so there isn't quite as much rush to purchase new.
