Since 2010. when the Nissan Leaf was introduced, it was branded as one of the best-buy electric vehicles in the market. It has seen a constant rise in sales, and some of the main reasons are its affordable price and overall quality. But what about the all-present question of battery replacement and its cost?
We may take car maintenance for granted, but the battery replacement price will surely take more from your wallet than you thought. There are two options – battery replacement in the official dealership, where you will need to splash out $7,000 – $12,000, or the less popular option of reconditioned batteries with a price tag of $4,000 – $6,000.
We will tell you what you get with both options, and you will get a couple of free tips to help you keep your battery working as long as possible. Stay with us!
How Long Do Leaf Batteries Last?
Nissan’s official warranty states that the battery used for the Leaf will last either 100,000 miles or 8 years, whatever comes first. But, since this model has been on the market for more than 10 years, its lithium-ion batteries show real toughness.
Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement Cost
Nissan offers several battery options for its Leaf model, and the replacement battery price depends on it. The new battery for the basic model with a 24kWh capacity will cost around $80,00 without the labor price. The price of a new 40kWh battery is between $10,000 and $11,000 before the cost of the service.
| 24 kWh | 5 years or 60,000 miles warranty |
| 30 kWh | 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty |
| 40 kWh | 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty |
| 62 kWh | 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty |
Battery Module
If you want to save money, you could replace several modules of the battery. The first Nissan Leaf 24kWh battery is made of 48 modules, and changing some of them is an option, but whether that would be advisable is a completely different question.
The first problem with replacing modules is the question of battery health. The battery loses its characteristics evenly, so replacing a few modules will not get good enough results. The user will end up with a battery that is now imbalanced in its capacity.
With some modules replaced, you will not get a battery with a significantly improved range or battery life.
Also, there is the question of price. The price of a module may vary, but it can be found for $80 apiece. If the battery has 48 modules, that ends up with almost $4,000, and there comes the question of the profitability of this operation.
Refurbished & Reconditioned Battery
Buying a refurbished battery is the best option if you are into keeping the environment clean. This way, battery costs also drop significantly. Saving the environment and saving money comes in the same deal!
Some specialist companies buy used electric car batteries and refurbish them so they get the most of the original performance restored. The same thing is with the Nissan Leaf battery. They buy an entire battery pack and give it new life.
The price of this type of battery goes between $4,000 and $6,000, depending on the model of the battery. You need to add labor price to this figure, but when you add everything up, it is a very good deal.
Is Replacing A New Nissan Leaf Battery Worth It?
This is one of those questions for which you can’t provide a correct answer. Well, that is the correct answer for everybody, in any case. We can debate the price of the car, the price of the battery, the work life of the battery, and how all that adds up.
With the starting price at $29,000 for a model with a 40kWh battery, Nissan Leaf is not a cheap car. But the electric car market has a lot to offer. Its battery with a range of 149 miles is an okay option for a second car.
Now let’s focus on the battery itself. It will lose capacity at a rate of 5% per year. The manufacturer’s warranty will cover 8 years or 100,000 miles. In this period, if your battery goes under 75% capacity fully charged, Nissan will replace it.
After that period, the battery’s health and range will deteriorate. You can drive it with 60% capacity, but soon you will need to look at the replacement cost at Nissan dealerships.
There you will see the next and the biggest problem. The replacement price is between $7,000 and $12,000, depending on the capacity. Add the labor expense to that, and you will get a hefty price.
By that time, the price of the car itself will drop significantly. It may be worth half of the price you paid for it. Maybe even less. Now you need to balance all that info and decide whether getting a new battery pack or trying something else would be worth it.
Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement Alternatives
There are other options, such as finding a donor car. This option is often used but rarely with good enough results. For a start, you should go to a scrap yard with electric cars.
You would need to find a Leaf with the same model as yours. From there, there are two options:
- Buy a whole car, and later find a specialist to remove the battery
- Remove the battery at the scrap yard and save up some money
If you buy only the battery, that is a great deal. But, before spending anything, try to determine the battery’s capacity. If it is cheaper than you would expect, then you are maybe looking at an old worn-out battery.
Pro Tip: Never go for a battery with less than 90% capacity! Either way, you will pay at least $4,000, so be sure that the battery-driving range is worth it.
Other options include (as mentioned above) buying a refurbished battery or a replacement of battery modules. The first option may even be best when you look at the price and what you get for that money. The option of changing battery modules is something that we will not recommend because the result is just not worth it.
How To Keep Your Nissan Leaf Battery Last Long?
User experience showed that battery degradation could be slowed with some practical driving and maintaining habits. Keeping these in check can save you some serious money and nerves.
The first thing to watch out for is the battery charge level. It is recommended that the battery level should be between 20% and 80%. Letting the battery constantly die out before charging will shorten its work life.
Another thing to look out for is the impact on the environment. Leaving the car exposed to the sun when the temperatures are very high can lower the battery capacity. That can be attributed to the thermal runaway process, in which the energy is released at very high temperatures and will provoke battery degradation.
Check Out Nissan Leaf – 12 Tips to Extend Battery Life and Slow Degradation:
FAQs
Can a New Battery Be Installed in an Old Nissan LEAF?
How Do I Change the Nissan Leaf Battery?
Many service centers are focused on battery replacement. They will do the job properly, and you will get a warranty that will come in handy.
What Is the Cost of a Hybrid Car Battery?
Final Considerations
Nissan Leaf is the first massively produced electric vehicle, and its popularity is constant. It is dependable, can have many uses, and it is affordable, at least when it is compared to other electric cars.
But, when the time comes to replace one’s battery, the vehicle owner gets a headache, and with reason. Replacing the leaf’s battery is no cheap maintenance, and it can cost $10,000. Fortunately, battery technology is rapidly developing, and in the future, we will have electric vehicles with longer ranges and longer life.
We are always on the trail of fresh news regarding electric cars, and if you are into them, stay with us!
