myleaf
Well-known member
I feel that Nissan needs to add an active Battery Thermal Management System to the LEAF
I love my 2011 LEAF and plan to keep it for 8+ years, but will most likely replace it with another BEV (not LEAF) if the LEAF does not have an active battery thermal management system.
Based on personal experience, my 2011 LEAF battery is not suitable for my climate (AZ). Early on, Musk (Tesla) questioned Nissan's decision not to add a thermal management system and predicted rapid battery capacity loss. Unfortunately, the LEAF now is associated with concerns of significant battery capacity degradation. Today, many cautious LEAF owners prefer to lease. I do not know if a leasing approach will sustain a high volume production business model. Especially with a limited market for used LEAFs due to battery capacity concerns.
If Tesla does release the Model E, I can envision Tesla again highlighting the Nissan LEAF's lack of a battery management system compared with Tesla's data showing excellent battery capacity aging of the Roadster and possible future data for the Model S and Model X.
I feel it would be better for Nissan to release a battery thermal management system using proven available LiB technology, than release a "jaw breaking", unproven, probably more expensive new LIB technology in 2017 to compete with future BEVs (many of which will probably have an active battery thermal management system). Nissan can elect to remove the battery thermal management system in future models if the new technology meets the performance targets.
I love my 2011 LEAF and plan to keep it for 8+ years, but will most likely replace it with another BEV (not LEAF) if the LEAF does not have an active battery thermal management system.
Based on personal experience, my 2011 LEAF battery is not suitable for my climate (AZ). Early on, Musk (Tesla) questioned Nissan's decision not to add a thermal management system and predicted rapid battery capacity loss. Unfortunately, the LEAF now is associated with concerns of significant battery capacity degradation. Today, many cautious LEAF owners prefer to lease. I do not know if a leasing approach will sustain a high volume production business model. Especially with a limited market for used LEAFs due to battery capacity concerns.
If Tesla does release the Model E, I can envision Tesla again highlighting the Nissan LEAF's lack of a battery management system compared with Tesla's data showing excellent battery capacity aging of the Roadster and possible future data for the Model S and Model X.
I feel it would be better for Nissan to release a battery thermal management system using proven available LiB technology, than release a "jaw breaking", unproven, probably more expensive new LIB technology in 2017 to compete with future BEVs (many of which will probably have an active battery thermal management system). Nissan can elect to remove the battery thermal management system in future models if the new technology meets the performance targets.