Battery Replacement Program Details

[dgpcolorado]

Considering what you know about Nissan's track record, I can't imagine you're surprised by this.

That's not fair. After the Phoenix meeting I think some of us thought that Nissan was becoming more forthcoming about the battery issue. Then the rent-a-battery plan drew a lot of flak — quite justified IMO — and they went completely silent again. Contrary to what they said they were going to do.

 

[GRA]

Considering what you know about Nissan's track record, I can't imagine you're surprised by this.

That's not fair. After the Phoenix meeting I think some of us thought that Nissan was becoming more forthcoming about the battery issue. Then the rent-a-battery plan drew a lot of flak — quite justified IMO — and they went completely silent again. Contrary to what they said they were going to do.

Wasn't making a slap at Tom, just pointing out that to date, Nissan's behavior re what they announce they're going to do in the long term, and their willingness to provide updates, has been consistent. AFA they're concerned, customers are mushrooms.

 

[jhm614]

Considering what you know about Nissan's track record, I can't imagine you're surprised by this.

That's not fair. After the Phoenix meeting I think some of us thought that Nissan was becoming more forthcoming about the battery issue. Then the rent-a-battery plan drew a lot of flak — quite justified IMO — and they went completely silent again. Contrary to what they said they were going to do.

Wasn't making a slap at Tom, just pointing out that to date, Nissan's behavior re what they announce they're going to do in the long term, and their willingness to provide updates, has been consistent. AFA they're concerned, customers are mushrooms.

I'm not sure I agree with this. They formed the advisor council, got evchels involved, have honored some battery replacements under the new warranty, reach out to some owners via surveys, monitor the traffic here even if they aren't posting. I don't feel like we are "in the loop" but I sure don't feel like they are treating us like mushrooms.

 

[TomT]

Yes, I was very disappointed by that aspect of the meeting! I thought we were finally going to open a channel of communication and then we hear absolutely nothing to date, which has been the better part of a year...

After the Phoenix meeting I think some of us thought that Nissan was becoming more forthcoming about the battery issue. Then the rent-a-battery plan drew a lot of flak — quite justified IMO — and they went completely silent again. Contrary to what they said they were going to do.

 

[nosuchthing]

A car manufacturer "talking" to the mortals? That'll be the day...

 

[davidcary]

A car manufacturer "talking" to the mortals? That'll be the day...

Tesla? Or does that not count?

 

[thankyouOB]

A car manufacturer "talking" to the mortals? That'll be the day...

at least they dont let the drivers of their cars die from a defect, and dont fix it.
but that isnt a very high bar.

maybe the best we can say is that they heard us on hating the SYB, and are trying to come up with a better plan.
for some reason they dont want to price a battery replacment. but now it is three or more years for many of us -- and growing -- and keeping quiet should not be an option for them.

 

[KJD]

Nissan will announce additional details of the battery replacement program later this year, including other global markets.

Did I miss something here ?

How about that Lizard battery ?

Is it part of the 2015 LEAF roll out maybe ?

 

[tcherniaev]

For me this issue with battery replacement has been becoming more real every day. With one bar gone (and second bar not far behind) and 34k miles on the odometer, my range is limited and will render my car mostly unusable next winter. I am sure there are many others in the similar position. We really do need to know what options we are going to have for this problem.

As a side note, when I purchased my LEAF, I was promised 100 miles of range (I know, I know). What I got this past winter was about 50 miles. Does this mean that I can get a refund equal to 50% of what I paid for the car?

 

[TimLee]

As a side note, when I purchased my LEAF, I was promised 100 miles of range (I know, I know). What I got this past winter was about 50 miles. Does this mean that I can get a refund equal to 50% of what I paid for the car?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[KJD]

For me this issue with battery replacement has been becoming more real every day. With one bar gone (and second bar not far behind) and 34k miles on the odometer, my range is limited and will render my car mostly unusable next winter. I am sure there are many others in the similar position. We really do need to know what options we are going to have for this problem.

As a side note, when I purchased my LEAF, I was promised 100 miles of range (I know, I know). What I got this past winter was about 50 miles. Does this mean that I can get a refund equal to 50% of what I paid for the car?

Can you make use of the new quick charge stations around town ?
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=8533&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any chance of charging up at your work location ?

 

[DaveEV]

Can you make use of the new quick charge stations around town ?
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=8533&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any chance of charging up at your work location ?

More charging infrastructure is definitely part of the solution. IMO more focus needs to be on getting multiple QCs and more L2 in areas where there is already charging station congestion. Adding more stations to existing locations greatly enhances the usability of charging at any particular site and provided the station is already in a good location, IMO is better than adding the same number of stations at a separate location.

 

[tcherniaev]

For me this issue with battery replacement has been becoming more real every day. With one bar gone (and second bar not far behind) and 34k miles on the odometer, my range is limited and will render my car mostly unusable next winter. I am sure there are many others in the similar position. We really do need to know what options we are going to have for this problem.

As a side note, when I purchased my LEAF, I was promised 100 miles of range (I know, I know). What I got this past winter was about 50 miles. Does this mean that I can get a refund equal to 50% of what I paid for the car?

Can you make use of the new quick charge stations around town ?
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=8533&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any chance of charging up at your work location ?

I can't charge at work, and there are no charge stations within REASONABLE walking distance as my office is right downtown (nearest charge station is 3 blocks away). Stopping at QC every day for the entire winter (even if it is for a short 5-10 min session) is not really practical either.

 

[Valdemar]

What is the thinking about the speed of degradation below say 70%? Will it be linear or better vs. quick drop to really unusable? With my current situation I can probably get by another 3-4 years to 50-60% remaining per the degradation model, but if the battery is going to call quits soon after dropping to 70% remaining I'm probably looking at only 2 more years before I will be facing a question what to do next.

 

[smkettner]

My Leaf was at 8 bars, so I took it in and... Just got my car back (Good Friday) from the Nissan service department, after testing it for 3 days they had this to say,
"TESTED VEHICLES BATTERY-NO FAILED CELLS. NO TROUBLE CODES SET IN ANY SYSTEM. TEST DROVE VEHICLE-GOT 40 MILES ON SURFACE STREETS. BATTERY CELLS ALL EQUAL-BEFOR OR AFTER BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED TO LAST BAR. AC TRIM WAS AT 74F AND FAN SPEED ON HIGH. AC USE TAKES ALOT AWAY FROM BATTERY AND HIGH FAN SPEEDS. BATTERY IS LOSING ITY CAPACITY-ITS BEEN FOUR YEARS AND ALMOST 50K MILES-NORMAL WEAR ON THE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY."

I asked about the Extended Battery Warranty and was told that it didn't apply to my vehicle because it had some upgrade done to it. "The extended battery warranty only applied to certain 2011 and 2012 Leafs." He wasn't terribly specific about what upgrade my car had that made it ineligible for the warranty.

The announcement in the OP didn't mention those if/ands/buts...

NISSAN ANNOUNCES BATTERY REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR LEAF
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 20, 2013) – Nissan, the world leader in zero-emission vehicles, today announced plans to offer a battery replacement program for U.S. LEAF customers who wish to replace their original equipment, lithium-ion battery pack.

The program, which will begin during the first half of 2014, will work in tandem with the Nissan standard battery warranty for LEAF – which includes industry-leading five-year, 60,000 mile coverage against battery capacity loss (below approximately 70%) and 8 years/100,000 miles against defects – to provide multiple layers of assurance for electric vehicle owners.
<snip>
All LEAF batteries installed under this program will enjoy coverage similar to the terms of standard battery coverage under the Nissan New Electric Vehicle Limited Warranty and be assured to maintain at least 9 bars capacity, or approximately 70 percent and protection from defects in materials or workmanship for the time they own their LEAF and remain in the battery program. If necessary, Nissan will replace the battery with a new or remanufactured battery to restore capacity at or above a minimum of 9 bars, much like the existing expanded battery capacity warranty.
<snip>

This is exactly why Tesla cannot sell direct to customers in NJ. Because dealers are an advocate for the customer on warranty issues.
Just like the ignition switch on GM vehicles :roll:

NOT

 

[DaveEV]

What is the thinking about the speed of degradation below say 70%? Will it be linear or better vs. quick drop to really unusable? With my current situation I can probably get by another 3-4 years to 50-60% remaining per the degradation model, but if the battery is going to call quits soon after dropping to 70% remaining I'm probably looking at only 2 more years before I will be facing a question what to do next.

That's something that perhaps only Nissan can tell us as different chemistries behave differently at that point.

Some will fall off a cliff at some point as the SEI layer just gets too thick and closes up - otherwise will continue to perform until capacity is just a tiny fraction of new.

 

[thankyouOB]

how critical to battery life is a one-time exposure for painting to 110 degrees for several hours?
does degradation require repeated >110 experiences.

 

[TomT]

I don't believe it would have any measurable affect... It is too low a temperature for too short a time.

how critical to battery life is a one-time exposure for painting to 110 degrees for several hours?

 

[DaveEV]

how critical to battery life is a one-time exposure for painting to 110 degrees for several hours?
does degradation require repeated >110 experiences.

1 hour at 110F is like 2 hours at 92F is like 4 hours at 74F. See Arrhenius' Equation.

Keep in mind it will take some time for the pack to actually heat up to 110F even in an oven.

It's not until you get to like 130F when the separator starts to melt/curl that you reach a critical temperature.

 

[JPWhite]

For me this issue with battery replacement has been becoming more real every day. With one bar gone (and second bar not far behind) and 34k miles on the odometer, my range is limited and will render my car mostly unusable next winter. I am sure there are many others in the similar position.

That makes two of us. I've been thinking along similar lines that this winter will be the make or break winter for my LEAF. One bar gone, 45,000 miles, about 19% degraded at this time.