If you look at the identical pack frame, mounting points, and external wiring connections shown in the photo at the link below, it seems very likely that Nissan wanted
some compatibility between the gen one and gen two packs.
While forward compatibility would be desirable for those of us with gen one LEAFs, allowing our LEAFs to use the newer design(s), it is also possible, IMO, that Nissan is concerned with backward compatibility, allowing the gen one pack to continue be used in gen two LEAFs.
Nissan might find it desirable to continue gen one pack production (presumably offering it in lower trim levels of the gen two) for cost or other benefits.
Since the gen one design has already been upgraded to
~30 kWh for the 2016 MY, we should not assume it could not have an even higher kWh rating in a few more years, by the time the gen two is introduced.
Even if the gen two pack in those photos is too large for gen one pack bays (as some have suggested) preventing
forward compatibility, that should not prevent
backward compatibility , using the gen one pack in the gen two.
edatoakrun said:
If this photo shows what I think it does, a 60 kWh pack in the foreground, and a 24 (or 30) kWh pack in the background:
http://dailykan-13be.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Leaf_material/60kWh%20battery_02.jpg
And if that is the actual configuration planned for the gen 2, not just a one-off for use in gen 1 LEAF test mules.
Then:
The 60 kWh pack appears likely to continue to use conductive (passive) thermal management, only consistent with long battery life if battery heating when charging at ~100 kW is limited by higher efficiency.
The two battery pack configurations looking very similar suggests much of the Gen 1 chassis design may be retained, whatever the designers decide to do with the Gen 2 appearance.
Not reported is whether a pack smaller than 60 kWh will be offered. I certainly hope Nissan offers a less-expensive and lighter 30 to 50 kWh pack option to those who buyers who don't want the 60 kWh range...
On the other hand, if Nissan wants to use the new cell design in lower kWh packs, as mentioned previously:
RegGuheert said:
edatoakrun said:
Couldn't another configuration of the new cells allow a lower kWh (and dimensionally smaller-if required) replacement pack for 2011-15 LEAFs, If Nissan wants to produce one?
Yes, but only if you can keep the system voltage the same, which means 96 cells in series. So, yes, 40 kWh works out
if the 60-kWh version really has cells in triplets. (Nissan does NOT have the granularity available to Tesla, which uses the 18650-sized cells.)
That would make a good pair of options: 40 kWh base and 60 kWh extended.
Expanding on the
if theme, a lightweight 40 kWh pack could IMO also be a good fit for a smaller sports/GT BEV, which could benefit from lower aero resistance and lighter weight for longer range than possible when powering the five-door, five-seat LEAF gen two.
And a forty (or less) kWh pack using the new cells/modules might leave enough room in the gen two LEAF's pack bay for a range extender, if Nissan ever wanted to give us a BEVx option.
The “range–extended” EV (BEVx) considered
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6847